Use of Force Assessment and Risk Management for Instructors

Cost: This course is sponsored by Wake Tech and the NC League of Municipalities (There is no cost for NCLM members).

Registration: Please email Gerald Takano at gtakano@nc.rr.com and include the following information: attendees name, rank, agency, email. 

A confirmation email will be sent. Call (919) 906-5210 with any questions.

Who should attend: Use of Force Instructors for the following: firearms, SCAT/CCT, conducted electrical weapons, pepper spray, reality-based training, or subject matter experts. General Instructors who teach in areas involving the use or potential use of force (vehicle stops, CIT, Patrol Techniques, etc.) would also benefit from the information provided.

Identifying risk in use-of-force training and managing that risk is essential to protect instructors and their agencies. Judgements, settlements, and officers being convicted are increasing. Understanding Court rulings on a variety of force tools, tactics, and techniques as well as use of force research is essential to assess policy, curriculum and practical exercises for risk.

There are four elements that must be present in order to have a reasonable use of force that can be defended. These elements are: Force Knowledge, Force Skills, Decision-Making under Threat, and Force Documentation. Training in all four elements are needed to show reasonable training. Root Cause analysis basics are provided so instructors can identify and address the causes and not merely symptoms of use of force mistakes. Identifying risk with what appears to be a reasonable use-of-force is provided. Understanding and being able to assess common use of force skills, tools, and techniques are also provided. This course breaks down decision-making under threat into a process. This allows instructors to train and assess reasonable decision-making processes in addition to critical knowledge and skills. It also provides a template if an agency does not have a decision-making process (BLET does not provide one). 

Documentation of force continues to be a major risk factor for liability. This course provides a process for evaluating use of force reports and statements for clarity and detail in critical areas.