EPISODE 157
Use it or Lose it:
The Essence of Officer Discretion
There are over 18,000 police Chiefs and Sheriffs in the United States, and every one of them has their own version of what right and wrong looks like. But unless they plan on showing up at every traffic stop, they are going to have to trust that their Officers and Deputies on the front lines are doing the best they can.
Empowering law enforcement officers with discretion to use their best judgment is a necessary part of policing, but there are some serious gotchas that we have to watch out for to maintain that responsibility and the trust of the people we serve.
Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents
You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group.
Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com
Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
CLICK BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE NOW ON YOUR FAVORITE PLAYER
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! PLEASE GO CHECK THEM OUT
Recent Episodes
The Last Traffic Stop: Kyle Dinkheller’s Story
This episode examines the tragic 1998 murder of Deputy Kyle Dinkheller, a young Georgia sheriff’s deputy killed during a routine traffic stop. Using dashcam footage, we recount the chilling escalation of the encounter, explore the decision making and mindset to reconcile deadly force, and delve into the lessons this event teaches about officer safety, de-escalation, and situational awareness.
De-Escalate? Escalate? When can you taser them?
Through this discussion, Mike and Jim examine the challenges of balancing split-second decisions with the need for critical thinking, training, and adherence to policy. They touch on how models like the Critical Decision-Making Model (CDM) and Integrated Communications, Assessment, and Tactics (ICAT) are shaping modern law enforcement training, while also addressing the limits of these frameworks.