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The phenomenon of contagious fire, where police officers are influenced to discharge their firearms upon hearing gunfire from their peers, has been a subject of concern and speculation in law enforcement circles.
Recent research spearheaded by a coalition of law enforcement professionals and academics has provided empirical evidence supporting the existence of this phenomenon. The study, titled “An Experimental Test of the Contagious Fire Thesis in Policing,” delves into the mechanics and implications of contagious fire, offering valuable insights that could reshape training and operational strategies in policing.
In this week’s episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley speaks with the experts who contributed to this groundbreaking research, including John DeCarlo, retired police chief and professor of Criminal Justice at the Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences and Eric Dlugolenski, an assistant professor at Central Connecticut State University and a retired police sergeant, who led the study in conjunction with the Farmington (New Mexico) Police Department and the Las Vegas Department of Public Safety. Also joining the discussion are Farmington Police Chief Steve Hebbe and Chief Jason Potts, the Public Safety Director in Las Vegas.
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This episode of the Policing Matters podcast is sponsored by Skydio. Learn more about how Skydio enhances public safety and operational efficiency by visiting Skydio.com.
Key takeaways
- Empirical evidence: The study provides strong empirical evidence that peer officer gunfire significantly increases the likelihood and volume of shots fired by other officers.
- Training implications: The findings suggest the need for revised training programs that address the contagious fire phenomenon, emphasizing decision-making and restraint under pressure.
- Leadership and research partnerships: The collaboration between law enforcement leaders and academic researchers was crucial for the study, underscoring the value of such partnerships in addressing complex issues in policing.
- Future research directions: The study opens avenues for further research to explore the underlying mechanisms of contagious fire and develop strategies to mitigate its occurrence, enhancing officer safety and public trust.
Learn more
- Read a summary of the study, “An experimental test of the contagious fire thesis in policing,” here.
- Mentioned in this episode: Research in Law Enforcement Selection by Michael Aamodt
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