The collection and analysis of data on line of duty deaths and assaults on peace officers has provided reliable information to direct modification of basic course curriculum. Law enforcement agency personnel use information from the reports to enhance or develop vital in-service officer safety training and agency policies or procedures. In many cases, the report s serve as the basis for change s in training content, materials and delivery methods of both basic and in-service training programs. The purpose of the LEOKA and Critical Incident Review Program reports is to prevent or reduce the numbers of deaths and injuries of California peace officers by providing them with information and the highest quality training available.

Training curricula in subjects such as use of force, arrest methods, defensive tactics, scene approach and response, vehicle operations, tactical awareness and communications have been positively impacted by the LEOKA and critical incident reports.

The reports have been used to validate testing, develop online and video programs to include re-enactments of actual incidents, revise Continuing Professional Training (CPT), and amend presentations at regional skills training centers. The data contained in the reports has served as a cornerstone in developing, updating and revising competency testing manuals and supporting media as necessary to meet the specifications of the competency-based academy testing system for scenarios, firearms, defensive tactics and vehicle operations testing.

Critical incident information that is accurately, thoroughly analyzed and made available, benefits the law enforcement profession as described above and is useful for several other reasons, which includes:

• Identifying potentially high-risk law enforcement incidents and situations that present significant threats to both community members and peace officers,
• Providing accurate documentation and analysis of factors that influence tragic outcomes while also recognizing lessons learned,
• Publishing or providing contemporary resources and information on officer safety and tactics for law enforcement agencies and academies,
• Presenting insight into tactics and techniques used by suspects to injure or assault peace officers, and
• Creating a permanent record of incidents that have caused peace officer injuries or deaths.

Developing online training which involves student interaction and integrating data from the review of critical incidents to enhance officer safety training.

As part of the contract to complete work described above, survey instruments used to collect data for the LEOKA report will be developed to allow the use of technology to provide the capability to more accurately and efficiently collect, analyze, and report the information to law enforcement personnel. The LEOKA report is developed from this data and will be routinely published and distributed  in electronic format via the POST Learning Portal.

Periodically, additional reports reflecting the findings of studies of law enforcement incidents in which significant and unique officer safety and tactical challenges to California law enforcement were encountered will be prepared as part of the Critical Incident Review Program. POST will use the most appropriate medium (classroom, on-line via the POST Learning Portal or DVD) to effectively distribute the program's findings (see Attachment A).

The lack of sufficient POST staff to administer and coordinate the work required in this critically important area is the basis of the request for funds to accomplish these tasks. Existing staff manages several other essential programs that limit consistency of performing the tasks required in administering LEOKA and the Critical Incident Review Program.