This course has a significantly greater depth and breadth of foundational research and clinical involvement than the current five day Force Science Certification Course. It is the next step in the development of a Force Science Analyst.
The overall objectives of this course will be the study of relevant research related to human performance factors, the ability to communicate this information in layperson’s terms, and the demonstration of competency in successfully applying this information to police training, performance and incident analysis.
Specific topics that will be covered in-depth during this course include:
Participants who successfully pass this course are eligible for six undergraduate-level credits through our established academic partnership with Columbia Southern University.
This course is certified for fifty (50) hours of Continued Law Enforcement Education (CLEE) credits through the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training (IADLEST) for their National Certification Program (NCP) review for POST accreditation.
IADLEST NCP accreditation is currently accepted in 36 states. The seal conveyed by IADLEST is a sign that the selected courses are held to high and consistent standards. This is part of an overall effort to ensure police officer training and criminal justice education throughout the country are carried out in consistent and helpful ways.
Applicants must have attended and passed a Force Science Certification Course demonstrating they possess a strong working knowledge of human performance in high-stress situations. Specifically, they should have a solid command of the foundational principles relative to neurophysiology, vision, cognition, memory, decision-making, learning theory, as well as relevant principles in the disciplines of exercise physiology and kinesiology.
Further, the ideal candidate will have held, or currently hold, a position that involves the investigation of officer-involved use of force and/or be in a position of influence over training practices, and curriculum. Our preference is that they have held such a position(s) after their participation in a Force Science Certification Course such that the principles taught in class could be applied directly in their work.
The 18-week course focuses on an in-depth study of human performance elements as applied to critical incidents in the police world. A foundation of theory and research that undergirds human performance in high stress situations will be a critical element of the course. A solid theoretical and research foundation will be established, as well as an ability to articulate this information in a clear and concise manner.
Our focus will also be on the application of this material to police use of force incidents. Throughout the course, participants will be guided through an overview of the behavioral science research that applies to understanding the human elements in an officer’s use-of-force. This will include understanding basic motor movement processes and the application to movement dynamics during a critical incident, also understanding the role of attention to eye scan and visual focus, pattern recognition, anticipation, decision-making, and memory.
This research review will consist of reading textbooks and journal articles written by primary or important researchers in the area, as well as meeting some of them and discussing their research with them. You will also be reviewing original source documents provided by Force Science throughout the course, each participant will be expected to understand and discuss the latest research foundation for behavioral science elements raised during the learning process and how those elements apply to use-of-force cases.
The course instruction will be delivered 100% online through real-time lectures from instructors and guest experts, along with group discussions.
Required textbooks will be sent mailed to each individual ahead of the course.
Students are required to have a computer and high-speed internet service. Participants will be required to attend the bi-weekly video meetings in addition to completing weekly learning activities and assignments through a Learning Management System.
For student students to be successful in this course, they must be active and contribute. This includes preparing for class by completing the reading materials on time, attending the online lectures and breakout groups, and engaging in online discussion threads. Grades will be assigned in the traditional A, B, C, D, F fashion based on the following course components.
To request dates and tuition cost for the next Advanced Specialist course, please fill out the request button below. Upon acceptance, full tuition payment is required before the start of class and will cover all textbooks and course-related materials to be mailed to the student.
This is an intense, 18-week program. Exact dates will be provided upon request. The course is conducted 100% online. The course will begin with a one and one half day orientation and training meeting.
Students will need to attend online meetings every two weeks through a video conferencing platform that will last approximately two hours. Course readings, assignments, and quizzes outside of class meetings will be done through a learning management system.
The course completion will require students to complete a four-day (18 hours of instruction) online sessions on expert witness testimony and in-depth case analysis.
All students who apply for this program must have successfully completed a Force Science Certification Course. You will be asked specific questions about your background, experience, and current position within your department and a letter of recommendation from your direct supervisor or higher.
The number of students accepted for each course is extremely limited. Classes are small to facilitate a high level of student participation in the course. Those who apply and are accepted but cannot attend due to schedule conflicts will be given priority to attend the next available course.
Generally the answer is no. However, we will make every effort to accommodate unexpected changes to your schedule by arranging for a make-up session, if possible. Full participation is required to complete this course, but we will try to be as flexible as possible with scheduling anomalies, if necessary. Exact dates and times will be given to all accepted students before the start of class to allow ample time for schedule adjustments.
