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If a police officer is facing a critical incident they may delay their decisions because of something called “decision inertia.” Officers don’t freeze up, but delay or fail to make decisions due to uncertainty. Paradoxically, that uncertainty can be the result of training or agency policies that are intended to guide behavior. Dr. Brandon May explains the issue, and discusses his research that found that when officers are offered a least worst option, they will make a decision to resolve an complex choice.

Main Topics

• Redundant deliberations and the “deliberation loop” can delay decisions.
• A good decision can simply be the least worst option.
• Police agencies need to accept that officers need to be flexible in an effort to make good-faith decisions.

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The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the author and guests, and are not authorized by and do not necessarily reflect those of the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services or the State of New York.