Critical Thinking on Active Incidents

In moments of crisis, every decision counts. This class is designed to strengthen officers’ ability to think clearly, act decisively, and stay adaptable during active incidents — from dynamic crime scenes to rapidly evolving chaotic events..

Through realistic scenarios and guided discussion, officers will explore real-world incidents, identify where critical thinking made (or could have made) the difference, and apply structured decision-making models to enhance outcomes.

This class will teach you to assess incomplete information, identify key decision points, think critically and make sound tactical and ethical decisions in the face of uncertainty.

This is not only designed for the first supervisor on scene, but also any first arriving officer faced with the reality of making life-threatening decisions for themselves and others.

The following are topics covered:

First on the Scene, Remember CPR: Containment, Point & React
Profile Recent Actual Active Shooter Events
What went wrong at Uvalde?
What is critical thinking?
Characteristics of critical thinkers
Critical thinking first line supervisors
Stress and your ability to make decisions
Armed barricaded subject(s) / Setting perimeters
Approaching unknown/suspicious subject(s)
Staging “hot calls”
The ambush
The mentally incapacitated
Officer involved shootings first on scene and your response
Active threat/shooter response and training