Journal article
Exploring Police Use of Force Decision-Making Processes and Impairments Using a Naturalistic Decision-Making Approach
Criminal Justice and Behavior, Vol.45(11), pp.1782-1801
2018
Abstract
As part of their duties, police regularly engage with citizens, which can result in the use of force. While we know how often and under what circumstances officers use force, little is known about officers' decision-making processes that lead to force. The study took a naturalistic decision-making approach to analyze debrief sessions between 91 recruits and their trainers after partaking in a use-of-force assessment scenario. Results show recruit's decision making was more aligned with an intuitive style rather than an analytical style. Recruits reported experiencing perceptual, cognitive, and physiological impairments that influenced the way they assessed the situation and affected their ability to successfully execute force techniques. The findings provide valuable insights into the theoretical knowledge around police decision making and how officers are making use-of-force decisions in the field. This has real-world implications for training/education and could help reduce the effects of decision-making impairments. Keywords: police use of force; decision making; naturalistic decision making; law enforcement P olice encounters that result in force evolve in rapid, dynamic, and stressful conditions. Poor decision making can potentially lead to dire consequences such as civil liability, aUthors' notE: The authors would like to thank the Queensland Police Service (QPS) trainers, especially Senior Sergeant Damien Hayden, for their help and support with the data collection. The authors acknowledge the assistance provided by the QPS. The views expressed in this material are those of the authors and are not those of the QPS. Responsibility for any errors of omission or commission remains with the authors. The QPS expressly disclaims any liability for any damage resulting from the use of the material contained in this publication and will not be responsible for any loss, howsoever arising, from use of or reliance on this material.
Details
- Title
- Exploring Police Use of Force Decision-Making Processes and Impairments Using a Naturalistic Decision-Making Approach
- Authors
- Kelly Hine (Corresponding Author) - Australian National UniversityLouise E Porter (Author)Nina J Westera (Author) - Griffith UniversityGeoffrey P Alpert (Author) - University of South CarolinaAndrea Allen (Author) - Clayton State University
- Publication details
- Criminal Justice and Behavior, Vol.45(11), pp.1782-1801
- Publisher
- Sage Publications, Inc.
- DOI
- 10.1177/0093854818789726
- ISSN
- 1552-3594
- Organisation Unit
- School of Law and Society; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99623340602621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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21 Record Views
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- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Web Of Science research areas
- Criminology & Penology
- Psychology, Clinical
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