In the sixth of a seven-part Policing Matters Roll Call series on use of force, host Jim Dudley engages with Jamie Borden from Critical Incident Review.
Borden tackles the intricate topic of an officer’s decision-making process when confronted with an unarmed but potentially assaultive individual. He emphasizes the reactionary nature of law enforcement actions, particularly in scenarios involving unarmed subjects, where the absence of weapons is often determined only in hindsight. This retrospective understanding plays a significant role in the scrutiny and analysis of an officer’s actions, underscoring the critical importance of continuous assessment and situational awareness in the heat of the moment.
Key learning points
The reactive nature of law enforcement: The importance of recognizing that actions taken by law enforcement are largely reactive, especially in situations where the armed status of an individual is unknown until after an encounter.
The necessity of continuous assessment: The critical role of continuous assessment and situational awareness, which helps officers make informed decisions in the face of unpredictable human behavior.
Psychological effects on decision-making: Understanding the psychological effects of critical incidents on officers, such as focus of attention and auditory exclusion, and how these factors influence decision-making and subsequent evaluations.
Questions for discussion
- How can training programs for law enforcement officers be designed to better prepare them for the psychological and physiological responses experienced during critical incidents?
- In what ways can post-incident analysis be improved to account for the natural human reactions officers experience in high-stress encounters?
- What steps can be taken to ensure that the public’s expectations of police actions are aligned with the realities of human behavior and the unpredictable nature of critical incidents?
The entire series is available for viewing below.
