The Backup Training Corporation

Use of Force (8-hour course) Instructed by Ed Nowicki

From zero to deadly force in a heartbeat. Ed Nowicki explains the "Use-of-Force" matrix in a hands-on manner that is as close as you can get to reality in a CD-ROM format.

This instructor is a nationally renowned expert in this field. Because of his presentation, The Backup received the Communicator Award, in which there were over 3,000 competitors.

The Backup Training Corporation is the recipient of an Award of Distinction in The Communicator Awards competition for its outstanding work in the external communications/education field in the Use of Force training course.

Ed Nowicki is a nationally known law enforcement trainer, in addition to being the founder and former executive director of the nation's largest law enforcement training association: the prestigious "American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers" (ASLET). In 1968, Ed started his law enforcement career with the Chicago Police Department as a sworn officer and he still works as a part-time police officer for Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, Police Department.

He held the rank of patrolman, detective, lieutenant, and chief of police with four separate law enforcement agencies. He still conducts law enforcement training programs covering various use of force topics at police agencies and police academies across the nation. He traveled to Great Britain and trained police constabulary instructors from England, Scotland, and Wales in 1994 and 1999. The U.S Marine Corps and the U.S. Navy have also used his services on numerous occasions to conduct training in Europe.

He is a nationally known expert witness on police training, OC spray, standards and procedures, self-defense, and the use of force. His contributions to law enforcement and law enforcement training have earned him many awards. Mr. Nowicki is a widely published author and still writes for many law enforcement agencies. He compiled and edited the highly acclaimed law enforcement training texts, Total Survival and Supervisory Survival.

Mr. Nowicki is on the advisory board for Police and The Police Marksman magazines and writes a monthly "Use of Force" column for Law and Order magazine. As a former Municipal Judge, he holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice and a Master of Arts Degree in Management.

In addition to his other training programs, he works as the co-developer of the nationally known OCAT (Oleoresin Capsicum Aerosol Training) Program. Mr. Nowicki received the "Award of Excellence in Law Enforcement Training for Individual Achievement" by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in 1994, was also the sole recipient of the "American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers Lifetime Achievement Award."

I. Introduction to Use of Force

The Beginning
Media Brutality
The King Myth
The Rodney King Incident
When to Use Force
The Deadly Force Triangle
Use-of-Force Policy
Facts on Force

II. Lethal and Non-lethal Force

Using Lethal Force
Reluctance to Use Deadly Force
After Use of Deadly Force
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Deadly Force Case Law
Excessive Use of Force
Non-lethal Force
Reasons for Using Force
Us-of-Force Training
Correlating Training to Reality
Survival Stress Management

III. Use of Force Options & Models

The Perception Pyramid
The Use-of-Force Model
Types of Resistance
The First Model
The Second Model
The Third Model
The Fourth Model
The Fifth Model
Armed or Unarmed?
Using Force Against a Controlled Suspect
The OODA Loop
Observation
Orientation
Decision
Action
Perception vs. Reality

IV. Conditions Surrounding Use of Force

Officer’s Response
Disengage or Engage
Escalate or De-escalate
Factors to Consider
Special Circumstances
The Core Transaction
Probable cause and Exigent Circumstances

V. Elements of the Offense

Understanding Searches and Seizures
Consensual Contact
Detention
Arrest
From Consensual Contact to Arrest
Fourth Amendment
Exclusionary Rule
Terry v. Ohio
Miranda Warning
Reasonable Officer Standard
An Officer’s Duty
Apparent danger Requires Reasonable Force
The Objective Reasonableness Standard
Anger Management

VI. Courtroom Testimony

Writing the Report
Reporting Officer’s Actions and Observation
Officers Beware!
Key Elements of Reporting Force
Detailing the Threat in Report Writing
Reporting Levels of Resistance
Preventing Use-of-Force Lawsuits
Assure the Legality of the Transaction
The Officer in Court
Courtroom Do’s and Don’ts
The Effective Witness
On the Stand
Gallows Humor

Testimonials - Add Your Comments

"Honestly, The Backup has provided me with the best training value I've ever encountered as a police administrator. There is nowhere else that I'm aware of where an officer can receive the diversity of training (all with POST Academy Level accreditation in Missouri) at the minimal financial outlay as at The Backup. With the ever-increasing strain on our training dollar, this value should not be ignored. I sincerely thank you."

Thomas A. McClain, Chief of Police
Willard PD
Willard, MO

"I enjoyed the whole course. It's been some time since I’ve had [a] training
course as enlightened as this one. This course helped [me] to better understand use of force in the everyday duties of my job."

David Sloan
West Branch Police Department
West Branch, IA

"Thanks for the course! It's the BEST (Backup) training that I've taken so far!! Keep up the good work!!

Sgt. Bonnough
Haskins Police Department
Haskins, OH

"I like the interactive videos/movies. The presentation for the course was excellent- tons of information. This course was excellent and helps me in my job as a criminal investigator."

Porter Webb, Criminal Investigator
Naval Station- Bremerton
Bremerton, WA
Use of Force Course

"My officers are really enjoying the Use of Force CD. Adding some comedic skits from movies and TV really helps to keep their attention. I am about to start on my budget recommendations for the next fiscal year. I will definitely keep The Backup in mind. Please keep me updated on your catalog offerings."

Security Supervisor Lucy Bardwell
Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
Kansas City, MO
Use of Force Course

Site Map | Contact Us | Privacy Policy | Links