Examining How Different Types of In-Service Use of Force Trainings Influence Officer Behavior

• In Event: Police Training

Abstract

Police use of force has been a subject of concern and debate, both within the law enforcement community and in society, for decades. The approach in which police officers employ force or other types of coercion can have significant consequences, both for public safety and for the officers themselves. In this context, in-service training plays a crucial role in shaping an officer's ability to make sound judgments and use force appropriately. Prior studies that examine in-service training have laid valuable groundwork, however, the wide range of police training topics coupled with the limited number of findings to draw from presents a challenge in determining which approaches are most impactful. This study utilizes data from a large Southwest police department to examine three types of use of force training to provide a nuanced insight into their impact on officer behavior. By directly assessing the impact of training on officer behavior, this research aims to inform police training practices by guiding efforts to enhance officer judgment and promote appropriate use of force in law enforcement encounters. The results have implications for both policy and future research.

Author

• Jacob Foster, Arizona State University