Force Decisions: A Citizen's Guide to Understanding How Police Determine Appropriate Use of Force

In a free and peaceful society where so many have been taught that
all violence is wrong, citizens are often confused and dismayed when
officers use force, even when the force is perfectly lawful and
justified.

This book allows you to ‘take’ a basic USE OF FORCE class just as if
you were a rookie at the police academy. Below are some highlights of
what is included in ‘your’ basic use of force class:

SECTION 1. TRAINING. I explain policy and laws that officers are
taught. We examine use of force, how to define a threat, and the
difference between excessive force and unnecessary force.

SECTION 2. CHECKS AND BALANCES. This section explains how an
officer’s decisions are examined if suspected of being bad decisions.

SECTION 3. EXPERIENCE. We explore how officers see the world that
they live in. Somewhere in the fog between training and experience, the
officer has to make a decision. Sometimes decisions will be made in a
fraction of a second and on partial information. Sometimes a decision
will change the lives of everyone involved—forever.

SECTION 4. ABOUT YOU. Review what you should have learned. Why does
community action fail? What is it that can really be done? Know how to
behave when faced by an officer. Until this section, I have tried to put
you in the headspace of an officer, giving you an overview of his
training and a taste of his experiences. Now I will try to let you feel
like a suspect. That’s a lot of mind bending for one book. Get plenty of
sleep and drink lots of water.