Connecting Research, Decision-Making, and Police Training

Imagine demonstrating compassion during a death notification, consoling a sexual assault victim using a trauma-informed approach, de-escalating a volatile situation, and having to use deadly force—all on the same shift. Today’s policing has become extremely complex as police officers have had to take on the professional roles of social workers, peace makers, law enforcers, counselors, psychologists, strategists, mental health practitioners, and conflict managers, all the while dealing with a changing public perception of policing.