2022 in Review: 3 Police Leaders’ Thoughts on the Recruiting & Retention Crisis

High on their list of concerns were items such as shrinking budgets and increasing anti-police sentiment. Another point of interest is the escalating pressure to place greater emphasis on de-escalation training.

Another predictable conclusion was the nearly universal agreement that the staffing crisis—both recruiting new officers and retaining those already in the ranks—was the most difficult challenge police leaders and trainers faced in 2022…

Full story: 2022 in Review: 3 Police Leaders’ Thoughts on the Recruiting & Retention Crisis – Patrol – POLICE Magazine

Spokane County jury awards $19.5 million to former sheriff’s deputy and his wife in defamation case

Spokane County has to pay a former Sheriff’s Office deputy and his wife $19.5 million in damages after a Superior Court jury on Friday determined he was wrongfully fired and defamed by Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich.

Knezovich fired Sgt. Jeff Thurman in 2019. In a news conference, the sheriff said he made the decision after an internal affairs investigation found Thurman used the N-word while on the phone with other deputies, talked about killing Black people and sexually harassed a female deputy. Thurman sued Knezovich later that year.

Full story: Spokane County jury awards $19.5 million to former sheriff’s deputy and his wife in defamation case

Police reform: As officers quit, departments see chance for change

Officer Terry Cherry, a recruiter for the Charleston Police Department said exits aren’t always bad, especially because police culture typically resists change.

“Sometimes that leaving an organization makes way for new ideas and different types of thinking,” she said. “So you have these new people coming in, they’re excited. They’re excited because they’ve seen the world. They know about Ferguson. They know about George Floyd. They know about body cameras…”

Full story: Police reform: As officers quit, departments see chance for change

Force Science validates legacy research findings

“[T]hese findings suggest that if a law enforcement officer does not or cannot take pre-emptive measures to avoid or control the situation, they simply lack sufficient time to react and respond to the stimulus, prior to taking fire…” “Therefore, we reiterate the need to incorporate these studies in police tactical training so officers may be better informed and subsequently make decisions that have increased potential to mitigate dangerous situations.”

Full story: Force Science validates legacy research findings