Dates:        2008 September 10

Location:    Sheraton Cavalier Hotel, Calgary, Alberta

Costs:        $125.00 Plus GST (includes lunch)

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF USE OF FORCE/CRITICAL INCIDENTS : INVESTIGATIONS

RISK MANAGEMENT FOR MANAGERS AND SUPERVISORS

ALEXIS ARTWOHL, PH.D.

Class Objectives

1.   Learn about the research on the psychology of combat and other extreme stress incidents.

2.   Learn about the psychological impact of use of force incidents on the community, the agency, and individual officers and how to minimize negative responses to these events.

3.   Learn about the psychological aftermath of critical incidents and use of force situations.

4.   Learn about the research on psychological factors that impact witness recall and statements after critical incidents.

5.   Review suggestions for investigators on how to take into account the psychological aspects of human performance with participants and witnesses on-scene and afterward.

 Class Description – One Day Class

During this one day class Dr. Artwohl will present a detailed analysis of the psychological dynamics of police combat and other high stress critical incidents. This information is vital to investigators investigating officer involved shootings and other critical incidents. This class is oriented toward police managers and supervisors, investigators, and attorneys. However, anyone interested in the investigative aftermath of use of force will find this class relevant.

She will review research from the areas of psychology, sociology, law enforcement, investigations, and her experience talking with hundreds of officers involved in shootings and many victims of other critical incidents. She will discuss the latest research on perceptual and memory distortions in officer involved shootings, including her articles: “Perceptual and Memory Distortions in Officer Involved Shootings” published in the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin in October 2002, and “No Recall of Weapons Discharge” published in the Law Enforcement Executive Forum, March, 2003. In addition to reviewing the research, she has drawn together the experiences of officers, investigators, attorneys, union officials, and command staff, and will pass on to you their collective wisdom about what works well when investigating these complex, high profile events.

Dr. Artwohl provide suggestions for investigators on how to take into account the psychology of human performance to help ensure the accuracy and thoroughness of the investigation and thus maximally benefit the agency, officer, and the community.

Class Outline:

The Responsibility Triad

The Survival Triangle

FBI Wound Ballistic Studies – The Psychology of Combat

The Psychobiology of Fear

Research on Perceptual and Memory Distortions during Officer Involved Shootings – Multiple Studies

Epstein’s Research on Thinking Processes during High Stress Events

Suggestions for Investigators: The Impact of the Psychology of Human Performance on Investigating Officer Involved Shootings

Dr. Artwohl is co-author of DEADLY FORCE ENCOUNTERS, written with Loren W. Christensen