In 2018, the Bureau of Justice Statistics revealed a report on the usage of body-worn cameras by police departments in the US.
The report discovered that 47% of U.S. legislation enforcement businesses had acquired body-worn cameras, noting the principle cause for buying the know-how was to enhance officer security, amongst different causes like elevated proof high quality, and lowered civilian complaints and company legal responsibility.
The Lafayette (Ind.) Police Division (LPD) adopted Axon physique cameras and in-car cameras practically a decade in the past for comparable causes. Furthermore, the division has been utilizing sprint cameras since 1998.
For the reason that division’s adoption of physique cameras, supervisors have pulled two movies monthly – one showcasing wonderful police work and the opposite a studying alternative – to research and focus on throughout administrative workers conferences. The consequence?
In just some quick months, supervisors seen officers using completely different handcuffing strategies, which led to topics turning into combative throughout handcuffing in some circumstances. Consequently, the division was in a position to consider and overhaul its handcuffing coaching, ensuing within the re-training of officers on correct handcuffing strategies. This is only one instance of how the LPD continues to place officer security on the forefront of the police division’s objectives and initiatives.
To honor their dedication to officer security, the Nationwide Legislation Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) awarded the LPD as this yr’s Vacation spot Zero winner of its basic officer security class. Vacation spot Zero is a program aimed toward enhancing the well being and security of legislation enforcement officers throughout the nation. This yr, 5 police departments, which might be dedicated to growing officer wellness and decreasing line-of-duty deaths or accidents, have been offered awards throughout Police Weekend.
Under, we break down how the Lafayette Police Division is enhancing officer efficiency and security within the discipline.
1. An funding in time and coaching in driving and traffic-related security
The LPD partnered with automobile dealership Subaru Isuzu of Auckland, which has a 2.5-mile check observe, so officers can use the observe annually to finish emergency driving coaching. The division mandates a minimal of 4 hours of Emergency Automobile Operations Course (EVOC) coaching per yr. A handful of LPD officers are licensed as EVOC driving instructors and the division has as much as 4 automobiles particularly devoted to EVOC coaching.
[RELATED: 5 steps to enhancing your EVOC training]
2. SWAT coaching is not only for the SWAT staff
The LPD’s SWAT staff, which is made up of 18 operators, assists in coaching all officers and recruits within the following:
The division partnered with an area firm that makes use of online game engines to coach officers on consequence administration when responding to lively shooter occasions or different disaster occasions.
Recruits are routinely uncovered to SWAT operations by attending observe, in addition to collaborating as position gamers throughout scenario-based coaching. The SWAT staff additionally trains with the drone, Okay-9 and disaster negotiation groups.
[LISTEN: Policing Matters Podcast: How to excel as a crisis negotiator]
3. The utilization of drones within the discipline
Police departments nationwide are deploying drones to permit officers to “see” what they can not visualize with their very own eyes and “go” locations they can not safely entry.
The LPD’s Drone Response Workforce, which was created in 2019, has two DJI Encourage drones, two Mavics drones, in addition to FLIR Optical Zoom cameras. The division’s program makes use of Axon Air, which delivers safe stay streaming into the division’s Axon Reply community. The know-how, in keeping with the division, “enhances officer security by offering aerial views, low-light and thermal imaging capabilities.”
[DOWNLOAD: How to buy police drones]
4. An govt teaching mannequin delivered via a digital platform to each LPD officer
Two years in the past, the LPD was the primary division within the state to pilot Efficiency Protocol, which brings the idea of govt teaching to legislation enforcement. The digital teaching platform, in keeping with the web site, “builds sturdy and succesful leaders inside legislation enforcement.” This system achieves this via “a complete method that features personalized options for recruitment, growth and retention.”
[RELATED: Can coaching be beneficial in policing?]
Click on right here for extra info about this yr’s 4 different Vacation spot Zero award winners, together with the classes of complete wellness, officer visitors security, officer wellness and complete security.
NEXT: On-demand webinar: Utilizing human efficiency science to tell police coaching and enhance officer decision-making
