Chuck Wexler, who leads the nation's leading think tank on law enforcement issues, speaks out about the complicated issues related to police use of force. Use of Force is Still Biggest Issue in Policing by Chuck Wexler The recent incident involving Miami Dolphins player Tyreek Hill demonstrated the level of scrutiny that police tactics often receive, and a single mishandled incident can reduce community trust; some can even have fatal consequences. Many of the most controversial, high-profile cases – such as the deaths of Elijah McClain in Aurora, CO, Daniel Prude in Rochester, NY, and George Floyd in Minneapolis – involved police restraint. While police are called upon to restrain people for a range of reasons, a common one is that an individual needs medical care because they are a danger to themselves or others.  In May, the Associated Press published a lengthy series of articles about deaths related to police restraint. The AP found that “over a decade, more than 1,000 people died after police subdued them through means not intended to be lethal … [and that in] hundreds of cases, officers weren’t taught or didn’t follow best safety practices for physical force and weapons, creating a recipe for death.”  The public now has higher expectations for first responders as they handle these situations. For example, two paramedics and a police officer were recently convicted of criminally negligent homicide and each sentenced to incarceration for their roles in the death of Elijah McClain, an outcome I don’t think we would’ve seen a couple decades ago.  Some states have responded by banning the use of the term “excited delirium.” However, prohibiting a term does not give officers any guidance about what they can and should do to mitigate the risk of restraint-related death. If you are interested in reading more please visit our website to read more and order the full report: https://lnkd.in/ep5yZYua Chuck Wexler is the Executive Director of the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF),an organization of law enforcement officials and others dedicated to improving the professionalism of policing. Executive Director since 1993, he leads a staff engaged in policing research, management studies and consulting for police agencies, publication of books and reports on critical issues in policing, police executive education, and policy development. You can read more about Chuck at: https://lnkd.in/efXFJEaS

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The National Institute of Justice’s (NIJ) Law Enforcement Advancing Data and Science (LEADS) Scholars Program is designed to increase the research capabilities of law enforcement professionals and agencies. In recent years, NIJ has focused on empowering law enforcement to integrate research into policies and practices. The LEADS Scholars Program advances evidence-based policing by supporting the development of research-minded law enforcement professionals. NIJ is accepting applications for law enforcement and civilian scholars. All applications are due May 3, 2024, 11:59 p.m. ET. Learn more and apply at https://lnkd.in/dCkcGfCz

TOMORROW, PERF will host an online webinar on Promoting Health and Wellness for Women in Policing. The webinar is Tuesday, February 27, from 2:30 – 4:00 pm EST. All webinars will be recorded and made available afterward for viewing. Webinar Details: o   To attend, register at https://bit.ly/womhealthli to receive a link to join the webinar. o   The webinar will be held on Zoom. o   The event will take place Tuesday, February 27 from 2:30 – 4:00 pm EST. Promoting Health and Wellness for Women in Policing In the United States, only 12 percent of sworn officers and 3 percent of police leadership are female. This low level of representation reflects both untapped potential and missed opportunities. Research shows that women officers are less likely to use force and make fewer discretionary arrests, and communities generally perceive women officers as more compassionate to crime victims, particularly in domestic violence and sexual assault cases. Agencies nationwide are working to increase the representation of women in law enforcement. Part of attracting more women to the field is creating a workplace that supports women officers. For example, women have different health and wellness needs than men; agencies can adapt their policies and support systems accordingly. By addressing these needs in areas ranging from physical fitness requirements to mental health resources, agencies can create a healthier and more inclusive workforce. This webinar will showcase organizations that have effectively tailored their wellness programs to meet the specific needs of female officers and are pushing to increase the representation of women in policing, including the Lubbock (TX) PD, Minneapolis PD, and National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE).

Tomorrow: PERF kicks off a webinar series on officer health and wellness. First up: Fostering Holistic Health and Wellness in Law Enforcement Agencies. Fairfax County, Reno, Indianapolis Metro, and Miami Beach police departments discuss their approaches. https://lnkd.in/eJfbDUCr