Influence of Policy Instruction and Training on Use of Deadly Force by Police

Use of force by police are gaining deserved attention and scrutiny. Citizens wonder if police use of force is always proportional and necessary. Even though police organizations routinely train officers on proper use of force, how can the public know if use of force policies and training procedures adequately address use of force? With this manuscript, a longitudinal examination of policy instruction on use of deadly force by police begins. Two central questions endured: how do retired officers perceive the effectiveness of deadly force training and how do retired officers perceive training on critical thinking and discretion? Through the course of interviews with retired officers, themes such as, enhanced training, critical thinking development, and proper use of discretion appeared. These areas emerged as most important in avoiding improper use of deadly force by police. We conclude that reality-based training, evidence-based critical thinking skills, and development of proper discretion are advised to maximize proper use of force by police and gain citizens' confidence that force used is defensible and supportable. [For the full proceedings, see ED626668.]