FIT has the training and experience in reviewing use of force and internal incidents for the purpose of fact finding or the improvement of operations.  In addition to training, we can conduct the following for you:

Critical Incident Reviews

A critical incident review is a thorough internal analysis of a “critical incident” or abnormal event.  In the law enforcement context, Critical Incident Reviews are often done after Officer Involved Shootings, in-custody and arrest-related deaths, controversial incidents, tragic outcomes or near misses.  CIR’s are usually done because the agency wants to learn from the incident or determine if its operations led to, or could prevent it again.  Critical Incident Reviews look at a variety of circumstances:

• Facts and Circumstances of the Incident
• Organizational or Individual Training
• Policy and Procedure
• Agency Customs & Practices
• Communication
• Decision Making
• Root Cause Analysis
• Lesson Learned

Read more about Critical Incident Reviews in Law Enforcement.

Use of Force Training Program Evaluation:

Agencies use of force training programs are increasingly coming under scrutiny across the United States.  Because of the focus on daily operations, rarely do agencies take a step back and look at the entirety of the program from a global view.  We will.  The training program evaluation will evaluate:

• Officer Preparedness
• Training Methodologies
• Lesson planning & documentation
• Instructor Qualifications
• Proficiency Testing
• Reporting & Documentation
• Preliminary Street Investigation

Read more about Evaluating Your Use of Force Training Program.

Administrative Use of Force Investigations

All use of force incidents are extremely serious, but the belief or the accusation of unreasonable force by an agency against one of it’s officers has dire, long-term consequences.  An agency cannot be wrong.  In addition to observing the citizen’s rights, the agency must observe the rights of the officer and be meticulous in their investigations.  A review your agencies administrative use of force investigation will review:

• Complaints of Excessive Force
• Officer Rights
• Investigator Training and Credentials
• Policy & Legal Standards
• Investigative Process
• Use of Video Evidence

Read more about Evaluating Administrative Use of Force Investigations.