Use of Force
The Use of Force topic provides news, information and training on one of the most commonly discussed areas in police training programs. Learn how to educate your community about use of force, the risks unarmed individuals pose and more.
Following a Ninth Circuit decision on use of force, one sheriff’s new policy has sparked debate over legal interpretation, responder safety and the future of crisis response models
The Omaha Police Department has adopted an approach where its interviewing investigators do not watch video evidence before interviewing officers involved in serious uses of force
From crisis calls to tactical decision-making, discover how to apply de-escalation effectively while balancing officer safety, public trust and evolving policies
A shirtless man with a chainsaw in a nursing home. A minute and 41 seconds of chaos. What would you have done and how long would it have taken you to decide?
Meet three black belt officers using martial arts to transform police training — locally, virtually and internationally
While she has been recognized for her strong shooting skills, McBride’s career has also been marked by controversy, including a fatal officer-involved shooting incident in 2020
Officers face split-second decisions, but politics and misinformation are shaping the rules they must follow — often with dangerous consequences
At SHOT Show 2025, Force Science and VirTra explored the reality behind police decision-making under stress, the impact of hindsight bias, and why high-fidelity training is critical for officer preparedness and accountability
Get insights into how the duty to intervene is transforming law enforcement through leadership, accountability and legal frameworks
Former Las Cruces police officer Brad Lunsford shot the man in the head after the man put his hands on a second officer’s TASER
The Supreme Court’s ruling in Barnes v. Felix could help resolve whether use of force should be judged by the moment of threat doctrine or the totality of the circumstances
The most relevant and important human factors that every investigator, administrator and trainer should understand when conducting use-of-force investigations and reviews
The 171-page consent decree outlines reforms for Minneapolis PD, such as preventing excessive force, ending racial bias and improving interactions with youth
“As attorney general, I will not permit Oklahoma police officers to face criminal prosecution for conduct adhering to their training,” said AG Gentner Drummond
Jared Reston’s (a cop who’s ‘been there’ repeatedly) 10 fundamentals to help any cop win a gunfight
Former Kansas City Police officer Eric DeValkenaere has been freed after his 2021 conviction of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Cameron Lamb in 2019
It’s a safety measure that protects not only officers but citizens and property too
The agreement requires the agency to revise use of force policies, ensure traffic stops are constitutional and improve protest responses
A jury cleared Penny of criminally negligent homicide in Neely’s 2023 death; a manslaughter charge was dismissed in deliberations because the jury deadlocked on that count
Jurors have been deliberating for several days on whether to convict Daniel Penny of manslaughter in the death of Jordan Neely; they will now consider a negligent homicide charge
The Oklahoma City Police officer can be seen on body camera video bringing the man to the ground after the man put his hand on the officer during the dispute
The two gaming officers were charged in 2023 with failing to intervene to stop the actions of a former Clear Creek County deputy who ultimately shot Glass after a standoff
Officer Christopher Schurr, charged with second-degree murder in the shooting, stated that the suspect had control of his TASER and that he was in fear for his safety
The report cites Fourth Amendment violations, poor training and inadequate supervision as issues in the Trenton Police Department
Key reforms include training Mesa PD officers to create “time and distance” in tense situations, which allows for de-escalation and the use of communication techniques
The Supreme Court recently agreed to hear Barnes v. Felix, a case that could redefine how officers’ split-second decisions are judged
The Barnes v. Felix case brings a federal circuit split to the Supreme Court, challenging whether deadly force should be judged at the “moment of threat” or under a broader “totality of circumstances” approach
“It is imperative that, even in the heat of the moment, officers must...respond according to established policies and training procedures,” Tampa PD Chief Lee Bercaw said
Court rules that the deputy acted reasonably when fatally shooting wounded prone suspect who fled after shooting another officer
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