18: ILEETA Learning Lab: Richard Hough Use of Force U.K. - Lessons for U.S.?

In this episode of the ILEETA Learning Lab Podcast, host Brian Willis interviews Dr. Richard Huff, an expert on use-of-force practices with four decades of experience in law enforcement. The discussion centers on comparing use-of-force policies and practices between the United States and the United Kingdom, providing valuable insights for law enforcement trainers and educators.

Key Themes:

1. US vs. UK Policing Differences:
   • The UK has fewer, centralized law enforcement agencies (43-44) compared to the US’s decentralized system (18,000 agencies).
   • Only 5% of UK police officers carry firearms, relying on specialist armed units, contrasting the prevalent use of firearms in the US.
2. Training and Policy Approaches:
   • The UK employs the National Decision-Making Model (NDM), a structured, iterative framework for all policing decisions, not limited to use-of-force scenarios.
   • Scenario-based training and stronger integration between law enforcement and higher education are more common in the UK.
3. Use-of-Force Accountability:
   • The UK emphasizes comprehensive data collection and analysis of use-of-force incidents, such as Taser deployment reports. This helps improve training and public accountability, offering a potential model for US agencies.
4. Cultural and Societal Contexts:
   • Dr. Huff highlights societal differences, including the UK's historical lack of a gun culture, which influences policing practices and public interactions.
5. Shared Challenges and Lessons:
   • Both countries face challenges like community relations, officer wellness, and resilience-building. Dr. Huff encourages cross-learning to adopt effective strategies for improving officer training and operational practices.

Key Takeaways for Trainers:

• The importance of centralizing training frameworks for consistency.
• Adopting evidence-based practices, like scenario-based training, for better outcomes.
• The value of partnerships with academic institutions to enhance training quality.
• Prioritizing data collection for informed decision-making and policy improvement.

Resource Recommendation:

Dr. Huff suggests trainers leverage free online resources, such as webinars and training from government and private entities, to enhance their skills and stay updated with best practices.

This episode underscores the value of reflective learning and collaborative efforts to advance law enforcement training, offering practical ideas for trainers to implement in their own contexts.