Reducing the Use of Force: De-Escalation Training for Police Officers

reportActive / Technical Report | Accession Number: AD1029731 | Open PDF

Abstract:

The use of force by police officers has captured the attention of society. Allegations of inappropriate or misapplied force happen with regularity. This thesis conducted a survey of the members of the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training to determine the number of training hours dedicated to firearms and force versus de-escalation topics. It analyzes the results through the framework of the Recognition-Primed Decision model, which asserts that in rapidly evolving, time-limited incidents, individuals make decisions based on prior experiences. This thesis hypothesizes that officers are primed to use force rather than de-escalation options due to an overemphasis on force during training sessions. The survey results showed an 8.9 to 1 ratio of training hours on force versus de-escalation. It recommends that police trainers strive to achieve parity in training hours dedicated to force and de-escalation topics. It also recommends that scenario-based training be emphasized to provide experiences to draw upon, and that the scenarios mirror real-world probabilities. Positioning Theory, Crisis Intervention Team principles, and de-escalation strategies of other countries are also examined for methods that could be implemented to reduce the occurrences of inappropriate use of force by police officers.

Author(s):
Dayley, Eric H.
Author Organization(s):
Naval Postgraduate School Monterey United States
Descriptive Note:
Technical Report
Pagination:
0135

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:
Approved For Public Release
Distribution Statement:
Approved For Public Release;

RECORD

Collection: TR
Subject Terms
Joint Capability Areas:
JCA_5_Command and Control; JCA_1_Force Support; JCA_1.2_Force Preparation; JCA_5.3_Planning; JCA_1.2.1_Training; JCA_8_Building Partnerships; JCA_8.2_Shape; JCA_8.2.4_Leverage Capacities and Capabilities of Security Establishments; JCA_5.4_Decide; JCA_5.3.1_Analyze Problem; JCA_3.2_Engagement; JCA_3_Force Application; JCA_3.2.1_Kinetic Means; JCA_5.3.2_Apply Situational Understanding; JCA_1.3_Human Capital Management; JCA_5.3.3_Develop Strategy; JCA_7.2.1_Mitigate Lethal Effects; JCA_7.2_Mitigate; JCA_7_Protection; JCA_1.3.1_Personnel and Family Support; JCA_2_Battlespace Awareness
Communities of Interest:
Biomedical
Descriptor(s):
law enforcement, POLICE, training, human behavior, theory, case studies, Australia, decision making, questionnaires
Field(s)/Group(s):
Sociology and Law, Psychology
Keyword(s):
use of force, de escalation, rpd (Recognition Primed Decision), pt (Positioning Theory), cit (Crisis Intervention Teams), warrior versus guardian, training hours, cdmm (Critical Decision Making Model), NDM (National Decision Model), RT (Role Theory), iadlest (International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training), perf (Police Executive Research Forum)
Report Date:
2016 Sep 01
Creation Date:
2017 Aug 10