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Reducing Lethal Force Errors by Modulating Police Physiology
Judith Pizarro Andersen1, Paula Maria Di Nota, Brett Beston
1Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Toronto, Canada (Dr Andersen, Dr Di Nota, Dr Beston, Boychuk); Police University College, Tampere, Finland (Dr Gustafsberg); Certified Use of Force Instructor, Retired Senior Constable, Ontario, Canada (Poplawski); and Department of Counseling Psychology and Human Services, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon (Dr Arpaia).
Objectives:
The aim of this study was to test an intervention modifying officer physiology to reduce lethal force errors and improve health.
Methods:
A longitudinal, within-subjects intervention study was conducted with urban front-line police officers (n = 57). The physiological intervention applied an empirically validated method of enhancing parasympathetic engagement (ie, heart rate variability biofeedback) during stressful training that required lethal force decision-making.
Results:
Significant post-intervention reductions in lethal force errors, and in the extent and duration of autonomic arousal, were maintained across 12 months. Results at 18 months begin to return to pre-intervention levels.
Conclusion:
We provide objective evidence for a physiologically focused intervention in reducing errors in lethal force decision-making, improving health and safety for both police and the public. Results provide a timeline of skill retention, suggesting annual retraining to maintain health and safety gains.
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