Preventing excessive force incidents by improving police training: an evaluation study of a use-of-force training program

A modified Clark and Estes’ (2008) gap analysis operated as the conceptual framework for this study. The study investigated the knowledge, motivation and organizational influences that affect the instructors from the Cathedral University’s Campus Safety Department from designing and implementing effective use of force training. A qualitative study was conducted using document analysis, an observation and interviews. Results indicated that the instructors lacked the basic knowledge that is needed in order to design and implement effective use of force training. Motivation and Organizational influences were discovered that impact the delivery and effectiveness of the training program. Recommendations and solutions are based on the relevant literature which includes an implementation and evaluation plan that utilized the New World Kirkpatrick Model (Kirkpatrick & Kirkpatrick, 2016) as the framework.