Three researchers with Force Science credentials presented new study results at the recent annual conference of the Society for Police and Criminal Psychology in Austin, TX. One, Dr. John O’Neill, a behavioral scientist on the staff of the Force Science Institute, was cited with special recognition. After reviewing all the conference’s presentations, 64 in total,...Read More
Whether it’s an OIS with racial overtones, a bad hire who drives drunk on- or off-duty, a cyber hacker who exposes sensitive files—something is lurking out there that could suddenly hurl your agency into a maelstrom. How well you weather it will depend, says critical communications expert Melissa Agnes, on how skillfully your department has...Read More
Nearly half of patrol officers surveyed nationally say they have cut back on traffic and pedestrian stops, confirming that a suspected “Ferguson Effect” is significantly affecting proactive policing. The recent poll was designed and conducted by certified Force Science Analyst David Blake, a retired 16-year police veteran with a master’s degree in psychology who heads...Read More
Before a mixed audience of politicians, judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement professionals, Dr. Bill Lewinski warned recently of the risk that emotion-based opinion will trump scientific reality in the mounting pressure to change police practices. Lewinski, executive director of the Force Science Institute, appeared as the keynote speaker at the annual Officer of the Year...Read More
Despite the frequent negative portrayal of police by much of today’s news media, cops significantly outrank the media itself in terms of public approval. In a recent poll by NBC News and the Wall Street Journal, roughly half (51%) of Americans surveyed said they have a “great deal” or “quite a bit” of confidence in...Read More
For a heart-stopping moment during his foot pursuit of an ADW suspect, a gang member with a long history of violence, Ofcr. Rick McCall was a sitting duck. His gunbelt hung up as he tried to scale a wobbly chain-link fence, pinning him at the top. The suspect lay on the ground 5 ft. below,...Read More
In a letter to the editor that we printed in issue #273 [1/14/15], Sgt. Casey Bokavich of the Redding (CA) PD mentioned that his agency was preparing to host members of a local civil rights group for a training session on police use of force. We decided to check in recently to see how that...Read More
A groundbreaking study of body-worn cameras first reported by Force Science News 18 months ago has now been published in a professional journal, with additional commentary. An abstract of the research can be accessed free of charge, with an option to buy the full study, by clicking here, which will take you to the website...Read More
“No comment.” Those are the “two most dangerous words” a law enforcement administrator or spokesperson can utter these days after an officer-involved shooting, according to an excellent video presentation by Force Science Certification Course graduate Brian Willis which you can access on YouTube by CLICKING HERE. Refusal to provide information on a major force event...Read More
As police shootings in the St. Louis area stoked emotions and headlines, a group of officers conducted a “day of immersion” into the world of law enforcement for local politicians in hopes of opening their eyes and minds to the realities behind the badge. The special training unfolded against a backdrop of still-smoldering protests over...Read More
