Content provided by MILO Training Systems
Over the past decade, mass shootings and officer-involved shootings (OIS) have shown alarming upward trends in the United States, raising urgent questions about public safety and the preparedness of law enforcement. These trends underscore the growing complexity of today’s safety challenges and the need for modernized, immersive training to equip public safety professionals to respond effectively. Researchers in law enforcement are calling for a new era in police training – and there’s no time like the present.
MASS SHOOTINGS: A GRIM DECADE
The numbers paint a troubling picture. According to the Gun Violence Archive (GVA), the U.S. has experienced a steady increase in mass shootings, defined as incidents in which four or more people are injured or killed, excluding the shooter:
2014: 269 mass shootings
2022: 647 mass shootings
2023: Over 690 mass shootings, reflecting a significant rise from previous years.
This decade-long upward trend reflects not only the prevalence of firearms but also the complexity of responding to increasingly unpredictable and high-stakes incidents. Public spaces – schools, malls, concerts, and workplaces – have all become potential targets on any given day. The ramifications extend far beyond the immediate loss of life, affecting the mental health of survivors, communities, small businesses and the law enforcement professionals tasked with responding. And with an alarming 2024 report from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reporting a record number of people attempting to bring loaded weapons onboard airplanes, all signals show the public is getting bolder and more unpredictable.
OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTINGS: A PARALLEL CONCERN
In tandem with the rise in mass shootings, OIS have also trended upward. While OIS incidents are not as publicly tracked as mass shootings, available data indicates a steady increase over the last decade. The rise can be attributed to various factors, including heightened negative public visibility of law enforcement, increased interactions in high-risk scenarios, and the widespread proliferation of firearms.
These incidents – and the steady uptick in weapon ownership over the past decade – highlight a critical need for police officers to navigate the dual pressures of protecting the public while managing use-of-force decisions in volatile environments. And the widening social polarity of the nation isn’t helping.
WHY THE TRENDS MATTER
The intersection of these troubling, deadly trends creates unique challenges:
Increased frequency of high-stakes incidents: Officers face more situations requiring split-second decisions with potentially life-altering consequences.
Evolving threats: The dynamics of modern threats, including active shooters and mass casualty events, require law enforcement to operate with precision under extreme stress.
Public scrutiny: Both mass shootings and OIS incidents are increasingly scrutinized, often leading to significant public backlash, legal consequences and eroding trust between law enforcement and communities.
THE ROLE OF TRAINING IN CHANGING THE STATISTICS
Enhanced training is a critical solution for preparing law enforcement to meet these challenges. Traditional methods and analog technology are no longer sufficient for today’s complex threats. Instead, immersive, continuously evolving scenario-based training offers a way forward:
Simulating high-stress environments: Advanced, evidenced-based training systems like MILO judgment and response simulators enable officers to experience the pressure and unpredictability of real-world scenarios in a controlled setting, while improving their capacity to adapt to changing conditions.
Decision-making under stress: Officers can practice use-of-force decisions, de-escalation techniques, and tactical responses while simulating observer instigation, refining their ability to assess threats and act decisively even when the public they are trying to protect is becoming part of the problem.
Building confidence and reducing errors: Through repetition, realistic feedback and instructors who understand best practices in knowledge transfer, law enforcement professionals can build the muscle memory and critical thinking skills necessary for high-stakes encounters, while continuously challenging themselves as they develop new capabilities.
INNOVATION TO REVERSE THE TREND
The steady rise in mass shootings and OIS incidents reflects the urgent need for innovation in how public safety professionals are trained. By embracing modern tools like virtual reality and strategies that incorporate scientific methods law enforcement can enhance their readiness, protect communities more effectively and rebuild trust in the face of these troubling trends.
Addressing these challenges begins with preparation. High-quality training – grounded in cognitive research, realism, adaptability and collaboration – can empower law enforcement to meet the growing demands of public safety with confidence and precision. Only with a proactive, comprehensive and scientifically-based training approach can we reverse the trend and keep our officers – and their communities – safe.