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Implement Use of Force Data Management Software

Jason Louis • Apr 15, 2024
Implement Use of Force Data Management Software

Should your agency start to Implement Use of Force Data Management Software?


What are the five most common types use of force on your agency?

Which calls for service have the most probability to end in a Taser usage versus a take down?

What time of day do these incidents typically occur and in what patrol areas?


Unless you're using data management software to track your agency's use of force data, you don't really know the answers to these questions. Force accountability software provides your agency with professional records management and statistical tracking. It provides your Managers and a use of force review unit with instant access to statistical trends and allows you to adjust training and tactics to what is factually happening in the field. And finally, it will help you increase transparency with the public.


There are many different vendors for use of force accountability software including LEFTA Systems and I.A. Pro's Blue Teams. No matter what system you choose to use, the important thing is that you analyze the data it generates and adjust your training and tactics accordingly. For example, if takedowns are your most common use of force but your defensive tactics program doesn't emphasize training in takedowns, you should consider adjusting your program to meet your officer's needs. If a specific style of de-escalation is more effective than others, that tactic should be reinforced in training and in the field.


Even if your agency can't afford a dedicated software system, at a minimum someone in your agency will be an expert in the use of Microsoft Excel. Have them set up a spreadsheet that keeps track of various data related to use of force incidents such as time of day, area of the city, force used, what de-escalation attempts were made, whether or not the use of force was successful, and so on. Each use of force incident would need to be hand entered but the intelligence you gather from that spreadsheet could help save your agency from a lawsuit, injuries or even save a life. 


The Briefing Room has a short training video available on this exact scenario so agency supervisors can easily train every officer in your agency on this essential topic.

www.TheBriefingRoom.com 
90-Second Training Videos Your Supervisors Use During Briefing or Roll Call To Develop High-Performing Teams of Officers.
✅ Lower Liability
✅ Retain Officers
✅ Build Community Support


🌟 Produced Exclusively by Active-Duty Law Enforcement Instructors 🌟

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By Jason Louis • 24 Apr, 2024
Consider this Scenario: Officers obtained a valid search warrant for a motel room. After the warrant was signed by the judge, they decided they wanted to search the suspect’s home. They called the judge, who verbally authorized a search of the second location. The officers didn’t physically amend the warrant. Question: Is the oral authorization from the judge, without physically amending the warrant, sufficient to allow the search of the second location? Here’s what the 9th Circuit said on August 30, 2022: "While a judge had orally approved the search of the home, the text of the Fourth Amendment still requires the warrant to specify the place to be searched." "...it was not clearly established at the time that the search would violate the Fourth Amendment. An officer could have believed- based on the lack of direct case law at the time- that he or she could search the home because the court had orally approved the search, even if the officer failed to make that change on the warrant." ............
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