NYPD and ATF offer free training to media professionals on use of force

NEW YORK (PIX11) -- After several incidents of deadly force used by law enforcement around the country, PIX11 News looked at what goes into training and policy when making split-second decisions.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the New York City Police Department hosted a free, half-day, joint Use of Force Training class for media professionals.

This interactive course provided PIX11 News with a comprehensive review of the legal, tactical, and physiological realities of police use of force incidents.  

Law enforcement experts explained the legal standards by which police officers are judged in court according to U.S. Supreme Court case law.  

During the course, Tuesday afternoon, police discussed in depth the human performance factors that affect every police officer and every suspect during violent encounters. 

While no two encounters are the same, police officers nationwide have clear guidelines outlined by the U.S. Supreme Court with Case Law on what is justified and what is not. 

The presentation portion of the course allowed attendees to experience the role of a law enforcement officer in a simulated encounter in which they needed to determine the use of force in real-time.

The instructors also went over the Department of Justice policy, which states:

"Law enforcement officers and correctional officers of the Department of Justice may use deadly force only when necessary, that is, when the officer has a reasonable belief that the subject of such force poses an imminent danger of death or serious physical injury to the officer or to another person."

"The number one predictor of the use of force or how much force to use is the behavior of the individual they are interacting with," ATF Chief Paul Massock said.

The course covered different case laws and scenarios in hopes of helping the public better understand the decisions officers sometimes have to make. 

The same course is offered to the general public to help clear up misconceptions.