Use of Force
The Use of Force topic provides news, information and training on one of the most commonly discussed areas in police training programs. Learn how to educate your community about use of force, the risks unarmed individuals pose and more.
Meet three black belt officers using martial arts to transform police training — locally, virtually and internationally
While she has been recognized for her strong shooting skills, McBride’s career has also been marked by controversy, including a fatal officer-involved shooting incident in 2020
At SHOT Show 2025, Force Science and VirTra explored the reality behind police decision-making under stress, the impact of hindsight bias, and why high-fidelity training is critical for officer preparedness and accountability
The jury could have convicted Nathan Woodyard on charges of either manslaughter or negligent homicide, but it found him not guilty of both
“I need to make sure that I have someone whose primary job is to take a look at use-of-force incidents and examine them thoroughly,” Sheriff John Nowels said
Union President Steve Slack said officers are “doing an exemplary job in improving mental health call outcomes and no amount of cherry-picking data can take away from that fact”
The district attorney labeled the deputy’s decision to jump into the suspect vehicle as “unusual,” but said that his use of force was necessary
Uses of force captured on video can be misinterpreted, exposing officers and agencies to significant civil and criminal liability. Are you providing the best evidence?
An Ark. officer’s actions come under legal scrutiny as the Eighth Circuit Court revives a lawsuit concerning the 2016 shooting of a suicidal teenager
“The goal is to prevent whatever the situation is from escalating up to the point that force would have had to be used.”
“The reality is that all force, all violence is ugly. But just because force is ugly does not mean it is unlawful or contrary to (agency) policy,” Sheriff T.K. Waters said
Officer Alec Iurato was given the Courage in Service award after shooting the gunman who shot him and killed two other officers in an ambush
The five former officers continue to fight second-degree murder charges in state courts
The defendant officer was initially denied qualified immunity after fatally shooting a violent subject
Court rules that the behavior of the dog, and the subject’s failure to control the dog, could lead a reasonable officer to perceive the dog as an imminent threat
Right now, a very dangerous person is preparing for the day they meet you. Are you preparing for them with martial arts training?
Convictions on the criminal charge of failure to intervene should reverberate in every police agency across the nation
You don’t get to “win” the fight. You stop when the violence or active resistance has stopped
Implement these steps to help ensure when your officers are asked how they are holding up after an OIS you’ll get an answer that’s better than “I’m okay.”
These charges encompass offenses such as wire fraud and the deprivation of rights under the pretense of authority
The main topic of discussion at the court-ordered reform meeting was the circumstances under which officers employ force
Judge: “Thao’s actions were objectively unreasonable from the perspective of a reasonable police officer, when viewed under the totality of the circumstances”
The court determines whether to grant officers qualified immunity for allegations of excessive force
“We’ve got seven police officers who were just doing their duty, and were placed in a position by all three of the deceased that they had to use deadly force.”
Two Colorado prosecutions of officers for failing to intervene illustrate what makes a prosecutable case
BolaWrap can mitigate liability, enhance officer safety, minimize trauma and gain compliance without pain
A recurring question during training is “How can the intervening officer tell if excessive force is being used during a rapidly evolving situation?”
Deputy Krickovich was fired by Sheriff Gregory Tony in 2019, after an incident across the street from a high school was captured on body-worn camera and went viral
When your words fail, you must be prepared to physically prevail
Video shows a deputy pushing a woman to the ground; The sheriff said the deputies’ workload and stress would be taken into consideration during the investigation
The suspect had already stabbed a man before LAPD located him in a parking lot
Recent findings provide empirical evidence that motor movements, like the firearm draw performance, can be initiated before the startle response is completed
After being incapacitated by bear spray and facing down an armed suspect, this LEO attributes his survival to his training
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