The Impact of Tactical Leadership in Crisis Events

• In Event: Advancing Police Research

Abstract

Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs) for active shooter response have evolved to match the contemporary threat environment, which has increased in complexity and magnitude of violence from 1966 to the present. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between credible intelligence and incident command protocols on experienced stress levels, tactical performance, and memory recall of police officers assigned to specialized units in a realistic high-stress setting. Prior research pertaining to officer stress has indicated a significant relationship between experienced stress and officer performance in live training scenarios. Additionally, previous research has examined the relationship between levels of stress and firearms proficiency, situational awareness and officer decision-making, and visual scanning methods utilized in threat environments. A clear relationship exists between cognitive performance on response and memory recall tests and high-stress environments in police use of force events. The current study examined these variables in a comprehensive, highly ecologically valid scenario.

Author

• John Miller, Texas State University