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Reducing Lethal Force Errors by Modulating Police Physiology
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 applie...
Autores principales: | , , , , , , |
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Formato: | Online Artículo Texto |
Lenguaje: | English |
Publicado: |
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
2018
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Materias: | |
Acceso en línea: | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6200377/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30020222 http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000001401 |
Sumario: | 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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