NCJ Number
174496
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 46 Issue: 8 Dated: August 1998 Pages: 62-66
Date Published
1998
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article examines the psychology and physiology of men under fire and the personal costs of killing other human beings.
Abstract
Recent research into the limitations of the human brain and body suggests that the human body may not be capable of performing fine or complex motor skills when faced with spontaneous lethal stress, and most people have a serious problem killing other people. It has commonly been assumed that an officer under fire will automatically defend himself or herself and attempt to kill the suspect, using training received on the usual firearms qualifications course. However, FBI reports have shown that many officers engaged in shootings never fired their weapons. Many who did kill never get over the personal trauma and were forced to retire. When an officer faces lethal threat both eyes focus on the threat, blood flow is redirected to the thighs, chest and arms and away from lower extremities. Although the major muscles are primed for þfight-or-flightþ, hand dexterity and coordination suffer from vascular occlusion, resulting in deterioration of fine and complex motor skills. Police weapons training should emphasize the nutrition and diet which assists the bodyþs ability to meet threats and the mind set which can assist in overcoming fear and enhance performance.