How Brain Scientists Can Prevent Police Shootings

If we want to reduce police officers' use of deadly force, we must not only demand better training but also enlist the help of brain scientists in the effort.Even on the best day, a cop is too often in a no-win situation: Hesitate too long, and both the officer and public are at risk. Act too fast, and another person, perhaps innocent of any wrongdoing, could be dead.Time and again, the criminal justice system tips in favor of the police officer as judges and juries consider the "reasonableness" of a shooting. That's a standard derived from the 1989 Supreme Court case Graham vs. Connor, which defined "reasonableness" as judged from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene, not anyone with the advantage of 20/20 hindsight.With such broad legal cover, even bad shootings mostly end in acquittals.  Continue reading...