Beyond Liability: Obstacles and Opportunities in Law Enforcement Risk Management
In law enforcement circles, risk management is often equated with legal updates and liability training classes, but it really is much more than that. A careful strategy can only do so much. New threats are constantly arising on the scene, leaving fresh challenges for the police force. At PRIMA 2024, industry expert, Greg Veitch revealed some of the many obstacles police officers often encounter. As a retired Chief of Police with more than 25 years of experience, Greg details specific opportunities risk managers and police leaders have when attempting to instill risk management principles in law enforcement operations.
Recapping this session, he dove deep into the ongoing refinement of risk mitigation within the field of law enforcement. Learn about some of the key strengths, weaknesses, and recommended practices.
The Landscape of Law Enforcement
Today, many police departments are short-staffed. While still dealing with the aftermath centered around the controversial events that occurred in Ferguson, Missouri, in 2015, many jurisdictions are troubled by an overwhelming politicization of crime. Essentially, this means an outside perception believes that criminal justice decisions are made out of political influence. This politically driven impact not only halts community improvement efforts but also creates new standards for law enforcement officers.
Creating a Positive Police Culture
While the current state of law enforcement faces new challenges, a collection of positive forces can help influence pragmatic change for the police force. The most important element in this equation includes proper leadership and supervision. Whether you are fresh out of the academy or an experienced sergeant, the right authority can help bring out the full potential of the entire staff.
Leadership is the catalyst of law enforcement. With effective guidance of protocols, policies, and advisory action, officers are groomed to provide a meaningful service with superior professionalism. The tone at the top can empower the rest of the operation simply by acknowledging the effort and sacrifice of the police force. From officers in pursuit to the staff at the police station, proper management helps ensure practical mentorship and direction.
Most of all, the leaders are to have everyone’s best interest at heart. Those in charge earn their position through hard work and tireless dedication to defend and serve the community at large. Higher-ranking officers possess an innate awareness of various safety risks for virtually every setting. They can motivate strategies catered to the time and day, weather and climate, and other surrounding conditions one might experience while on the job.
Negative Influences on Police Culture
Today’s police force is constantly scrutinized by public perception. Many factors often hinder the reputation and safety of law enforcement professionals, most notably:
- An officer’s view of using force as a necessary/appropriate tool
- Dangerous conditions and unreasonable suspicions
- Unpredictability of the street or other locations within a jurisdiction
- Conflicting goals and messages between authority figures
- A lack of experience of all officers in the field
- Societal outlook influenced by online messages, media, politicians, and street encounters
Standards for Forceful Action
The use of force police officers were once accustomed to is now changing. What was once a routine standard in law enforcement now requires a different set of objectives for officers at all levels.
A new use of force:
- Chokeholds and strangleholds are banned.
- De-escalation techniques are required.
- Officers must exhaust all alternatives before discharging a firearm.
- Officers have a duty to report when they witness excessive force displayed by other officers.
Risk Management Influence and Opportunities
Rethinking police work is a collective behavior of actions. From new innovations to better training and wellness programs, multiple resources can help clean up the police culture. Any good department is open to improvement and constructive support, but it requires collaboration and involvement from risk managers within a public entity.