Gordon Graham
Category: Law Enforcement
Gordon Graham here with Today’s Tip from Lexipol. Today’s Tip is for everyone working in law enforcement. I want to talk to you about the importance of proper training.
Use of force options have come a long way since the old days. Alternatives to deadly weapons, such as conducted energy devices and OC spray, are great options for dealing with appropriate threats. Pepper balls and bean bags have become popular tools as well. They all have the potential to reduce injuries to first responders and suspects.
Now, you’ve certainly heard these devices referred to as “less lethal.” But folks, that phrase doesn’t mean “non-lethal.”
A bean bag to the temple or baton to the throat can cause serious injury, and even death. That’s why training is so important.
Let’s consider stress for a moment. For years, we’ve known stress and adrenaline reduce fine motor skills, induce tunnel vision, and cause a phenomenon known as auditory exclusion. When you’re under high stress with no time to think, you revert back to your training. That’s a fact. And it’s exactly why firearms training is often conducted under stress.
But let’s take it one step further. Anything that requires some sort of practiced aim to be effective, including less lethal weapons, should be trained on under stress, too. This simulates what officers face in the real world.
What can you do if your agency doesn’t have the time or budget to conduct stress training? Practice by yourself or with a partner after hard exercise, while your heart rate’s still up. Take martial arts or boxing classes, which can help you manage stress and adrenaline during conflict.
This type of training is an important investment to adequately prepare you for encounters that require the use of force.
And that’s Today’s Tip from Lexipol. Until next time, Gordon Graham signing off.
