U S Department of Homeland Security

Survival Scores Research Project U S Department of Homeland Security

Law enforcement officers serve the public by performing a broad range of activities that range from passive surveillance and investigative work to the dynamic arrest situations that can quickly become violent and life threatening. Our justice system permits the use of force only when necessary, and limits its use to specifically defined situations. Thus, an officer's survival depends upon his/her ability to quickly assess a situation and respond with an appropriate level of force. With legal guidelines in place governing the "use of force," it may appear to be a simple process for an officer to determine the appropriate response for a particular situation; but it is not. The decision-making environment for law enforcement officers commonly includes a component that has tremendous impact on the outcome of the factor of stress. Critical decisions often have to be made quickly to save a life or prevent further harm. Clear, rational thinking in a life-threatening, time-urgent situation is vital to officer survival. All too often, however, the rational thought process must compete against the rush of adrenaline and a professional desire to apprehend the suspect - sometimes at too high a cost.