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| Law Enforcement, Policing, and Military Applications |
| Sunday, May 28, 2017 |
| 8:00 AM–8:50 AM |
| Convention Center Mile High Ballroom 2C |
| Area: PRA/CSS; Domain: Applied Research |
| Chair: John O'Neill (Force Science Institute; Sound Behavior LLC) |
| CE Instructor: John O'Neill, Ph.D. |
| Abstract: This symposium will present data on applications of behavioral methods to law enforcement, policing, and the military. First, a multi-site analysis of behavioral skills training for police cadet (N = 70) skills. Baton strikes, pressure point manipulation, handcuffing, and disarming of a suspect were analyzed with skill maintenance assessed at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 week follow-ups. Second, pre-existing (1974-2015) unintentional discharge reports (N = 137) from seven law enforcement agencies in the United States of America were analyzed by context and officer behavior. Finally, preliminary results from the use of the 1-min timing to decrease PTSD in the military veteran populations will be presented and discussed. |
| Instruction Level: Basic |
| Keyword(s): Law Enforcement, Military, Police |
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Law Enforcement Training: An Analysis of Skill Maintenance |
| JOHN O'NEILL (Force Science Institute; Sound Behavior LLC), Dawn Seefeldt (Force Science Institute; Sound Behavior LLC), Katelyn Weed (Force Science Institute; Minnesota State University Mankato), William Spence (Force Science Institute), William Lewinski (Force Science Institute) |
| Abstract: We conducted a multi-site analysis of behavioral skills training for police cadets (N = 70). Skills included a baton strike, pressure point manipulation, handcuffing, and disarming of a suspect. Skill maintenance was assessed at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 week follow-ups. Results suggest that the percentage of skill steps completed at posttest decreased gradually across follow-up tests while larger decreases were observed in the percentage of participants that completed the critical component of each skill. We provide suggestions for police skill training and discuss programming for fluency and skill maintenance. |
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| A Behavior Analysis of Unintentional Discharges in Law Enforcement |
| DAWN SEEFELDT (Force Science Institute; Sound Behavior LLC), John O'Neill (Force Science Institute; Sound Behavior LLC), William Lewinski (Force Science Institute) |
| Abstract: An unintentional discharge is an activation of the trigger mechanism that results in an unplanned discharge that is outside of the firearm's prescribed use. Unintentional discharges can result in injury or death, yet have been understudied in scientific literature. Pre-existing (1974-2015) unintentional discharge reports (N = 137) from seven law enforcement agencies in the United States of America were analyzed by context, officer behavior, type of firearm, and injuries. Over 50% of unintentional discharges occurred in contexts with low threat potential while engaged in routine firearm tasks. The remaining unintentional discharges occurred in contexts with elevated to high threat potential during muscle co-activation, unfamiliar firearm tasks, contact with inanimate objects, and a medical condition. We provide a data-based behavioral taxonomy as a tool for identifying the conditions under which unintentional discharges may be likely to occur. |
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| Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Issues in the Military |
| ABIGAIL B. CALKIN (Calkin Consulting Center) |
| Abstract: Both respondent and operant conditioning come into play when military training occurs. About 25% of veterans, especially US Army, have received that diagnosis on return from Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq war zones. Applied behavior analysis (ABA) techniques can ameliorate the external and inner behaviors associated with the symptoms and behaviors. While there are no charts to date of success of the use of the 1-min timing to decrease PTSD in the military veteran populations, there are charts from people who have experienced depression, aggression, and suicidal tendencies that show the efficacy of the 1-min timing as successful. At present, the way is being paved for its use within the military population. This presentation will display the efficacy of several of the approaches, those which follow either ABA or cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) successful approaches. |
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