The stress response and poor outcomes

If it’s happening in training, it’s happening in the fielD

The man who wasn’t there - scenario training

SCENE: Officer in room talking to bleeding victim. Shots fired from a fixed position down the hall to the left. Officer draws gun, runs into the hallway and TO THE RIGHT.

DEBRIEF: Officer described seeing a man run past the door after shots, prompting him to pursue in the wrong direction. No one had run past the door. Nothing had moved in the hall.

THE STRESS RESPONSE CORRUPTED THE OFFICER’S VISUAL INFORMATION, GIVING HIM UNRELIABLE INFORMATION ON WHICH TO TO BASE HIS ACTIONS.

THE MAN WHO WAS THERE - SCENARIO TRAINING

SCENE: Dispatch is for suspicious male in residential building. Man is at far end of hallway with hands obscured. Man becomes loud and confrontational while still concealing hands. Bystander walks between officer and subject. Officer draws weapon, advances, subdues and cuffs the man.

DEBRIEF: Officer had no memory of the bystander entering the hallway. Actor playing the bystander was 6’ tall and in the officer’s line of sight for a 15’ walk down the hall. 

THE STRESS RESPONSE CAUSED THE OFFICER’S VISION TO FIXATE ON THE THREAT, EFFECTIVELY ELIMINATING HIS AWARENESS OF KEY SITUATIONAL FACTORS.

What wasn’t said - scenario training

SCENE: Dispatch is for wellness check. Officer opens door to see a woman in a chair with blood on her wrists and a man standing over her, holding a knife. Man cries “Why would you do this?!” Officer reacts by shooting man.

DEBRIEF: Officer reported the man saying “I’m going to kill you!” prompting his decision to shoot.

THE STRESS RESPONSE PREVENTED THE OFFICER’S BRAIN FROM INTEGRATING THE VISUAL INFORMATION WITH WHAT HE HEARD, LEADING TO A FAULTY READ ON THE SITUATION.