Skowhegan, ME – Use of Force: Leadership, Decision Making and Analysis

Description

Skowhegan Maine
USE OF FORCE:
LEADERSHIP DECISION MAKING and ANALYSIS July 21 – 22, 2026

COURSE OVERVIEW in today’s environment, every use-of-force incident is subject to intense scrutiny, often analyzed frame by frame and judged without proper context of police training, human performance, or legal standards. This has increased the spread of misinformation and placed greater demands on agency leadership.
This two-day course is designed for police and corrections leaders responsible for reviewing, investigating, reporting, and training use-of-force incidents. Through focused lectures, real-world case studies, and practical demonstrations, participants gain proven strategies to improve force analysis, strengthen documentation, and ensure legally defensible decision-making.

INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES:
Apply legal standards to use-of-force reporting and ensure clear, defensible documentation

Implement early intervention systems to track and analyze use-of-force patterns

Reduce liability through effective de-escalation and documentation of force mitigation

Quantify use-of-force and de-escalation performance to improve training / accountability

Utilize a structured framework for reviewing use-of-force incidents

Identify foreseeable risks and implement strategies to prevent adverse outcomes

Apply investigative methodologies beyond video review, incorporating context and human performance

Integrate human performance factors (stress, perception, decision-making) into force analysis

Recognize limitations of video evidence and develop appropriate communication following critical incidents

Focused on measurable performance, defensible decision-making, and leadership accountability agencies cannot manage what they do not measure.

Assess ? Design ? Train ? Deploy ? Measure ? Analyze ? Refine ? Repeat

LOCATION of TRAINING:
Skowhegan Police Dept. – 51 East Madison Rd Skowhegan, ME
Deputy Chief Scott Christiansen Schristiansen@skowhegan.gov / Phone# 207-474-6908