As 2024 draws to a close, we are reminded of the extraordinary growth and resilience demonstrated in law enforcement. This year has been defined by critical conversations, innovative solutions, and an unwavering dedication to improving human performance under pressure. Together, we tackled tough topics, faced evolving challenges head-on, and laid the groundwork for the next chapter in policing.
At Force Science, our commitment to honest accountability remains clear, ensuring that officers, leaders, legal professionals, and communities judge police with the clearest understanding of human factors, decision-making, and the realities of police performance. Your engagement with our research and insights has been inspiring, driving us to keep asking hard questions, exploring new answers, and pushing for accountability–not just from law enforcement, but from those who stand in judgment of them.
Celebrating 2024’s Most Impactful Work
As we acknowledge 2024’s most impactful work, we are excited for 2025—where Force Science will continue to lead challenging discussions on some of our country’s most controversial issues in police training, policy, evaluations, and litigation. First, let’s revisit 2024’s top Force Science News articles that helped to shape our conversations and set the stage for the road ahead.
1. Homicidal Empathy: An Evolving Threat to Police Officers
By Von Kliem, JD, LL.M | May 16, 2024
Topping the list of reader engagement this year was Homicidal Empathy, a sobering exploration of shifting public perceptions and the challenges officers face in use-of-force cases. The article highlighted a growing trend where empathy for suspects—no matter how dangerous—can overshadow the legal and moral realities of officer survival.
The quote from a juror, “Every day I’m choosing for [the officer] to get slashed by that knife,” struck a chord. It exposed the stark misunderstanding of the life-and-death decisions officers make in split seconds, emphasizing the need for education on human performance capabilities.
The message resonated deeply because it was not just a cautionary tale—it was a call to action. Honest accountability, grounded in science, must remain the standard as we engage juries, communities, and policymakers. Moving forward, we will continue advocating for understanding, fairness, and realistic expectations of officers navigating critical incidents. Read full article HERE.
2. Officer-Created Jeopardy: A Legal Theory That Threatens Effective Policing
By Von Kliem, JD, LL.M | October 28, 2024
This year, Officer-Created Jeopardy reignited a national debate on the legal scrutiny applied to pre-seizure tactics in use-of-force cases. With the Supreme Court agreeing to hear Barnes v. Felix, 2024 became a pivotal moment in redefining how reasonableness is judged under the Fourth Amendment.
The article underscored how dangerous it is to inject hindsight bias into decisions made under extreme pressure. Officers should not be expected to predict every outcome, nor should they be held criminally liable for imperfect decisions made in dynamic, high-risk encounters.
The response to this piece demonstrated the profession’s readiness to push back against unrealistic standards and emphasize training, rather than punishment, as the key to continuous improvement. In 2025, we will continue to monitor this case’s impact and advocate for legal frameworks that preserve officers’ ability to act decisively in life-threatening situations. Read full article HERE.
3. The Expert Trap: Protecting Police from Unreasonable Expectations
By Von Kliem, JD, LL.M | December 16, 2024
The Expert Trap explored the widening gap between the legal standard of reasonableness and the unrealistic demands for expert-level performance placed on police officers. While rooted in the Supreme Court’s Graham v. Connor decision, the reasonableness standard is increasingly overshadowed by expectations driven by academic and policy narratives. This disconnect risks penalizing officers for reasonable, yet imperfect, decisions made under extreme stress.
The article highlighted the disproportionate impact of these expectations on new officers, who face heightened scrutiny and the potential for burnout as they develop foundational skills. It emphasized the need to balance training advancements with public understanding of the complex realities officers face.
Looking ahead, Force Science will build on The Expert Trap by fostering collaboration among law enforcement and academic leaders to align aspirational goals with practical realities. This effort aims to preserve fairness and trust in evaluating police actions while supporting officer development. Read full article HERE.
4. Mind Over Matter: How Your Mindset Affects Performance Under Stress
By Dr. Martin Greenberg | November 15, 2024
In fourth place, Mind Over Matter highlighted the profound influence of mindset on physiological and tactical performance. By embracing the “challenge-versus-threat” framework, officers can reshape their perception of stress, enhancing focus and resilience during critical incidents.
From understanding the OODA Loop to leveraging dynamic decision-making models, this article provided actionable strategies that were immediately applicable in training and operations. Your feedback confirmed the growing recognition of how mental resilience training complements physical preparedness.
This piece reminded us of what’s possible when science meets practice—when officers are empowered to manage stress effectively and view complex challenges as opportunities to perform at their best. Read full article HERE.
5. Sword or Shield? The Role of Video and TASER® Logs in Police Accountability
By Von Kliem, JD, LL.M | August 23, 2024
In the era of body-worn cameras and TASER logs, Sword or Shield explored the dual role technology plays in holding officers accountable while also protecting them from unjust scrutiny. The case studies presented illuminated the disconnect between retrospective video analysis and the human factors influencing real-time decisions.
The article sparked crucial conversations about “honest accountability,” urging viewers—whether jurors, media, or community leaders—to understand the limitations of technology and the realities of perception under stress.
As we look to 2025, Force Science will continue to prioritize education on video literacy, ensuring that objective evidence is used responsibly to evaluate officer actions. Technology is a tool—not an infallible judge of human decision-making. Read full article HERE.
2025: The Expert Trap and the Road Ahead
Rising to prominence as one of Force Science’s top articles in 2024, The Expert Trap has laid the foundation for one of the organization’s strategic priorities in 2025. This pivotal piece explores the growing tension between the reasonable performance standard and the unrealistic expectation of “expertise” increasingly imposed on officers.
Building on the widespread impact of this article, Force Science is convening top national experts to lead a collaborative initiative. Leaders from law enforcement, academia, research, politics, and the private sector will work together to examine the critical intersections of training, policy, operations, evaluations, and litigation. The goal is to foster evidence-based solutions that balance aspirational goals with the practical realities officers face, ensuring fairness and accountability while supporting professional growth across the field.
A Renewed Commitment
As we close 2024, Force Science renews its commitment to supporting law enforcement’s culture of constant and never-ending improvement. High-quality research and training will remain the tools by which Force Science advances honest accountability in public safety and leads critical discussions in 2025!
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