Use of force is often shaped by perception under stress. When perception narrows, time collapses. When time collapses, distance closes. When distance closes, options disappear — and force becomes more likely.

In this episode of the Blue Line Project, we break down the connection between force science, procedural justice, and Sir Robert Peel’s principles. Nearly 200 years ago, Peel argued that police effectiveness depends on public approval and voluntary cooperation. Modern research confirms what he understood: when people believe they are treated fairly, resistance decreases and compliance increases.

This isn’t about weakening enforcement.
It’s about strengthening judgment.

Sources Cited in Broadcast:
https://nypost.com/2026/02/10/business/apple-news-promotes-left-leaning-media-outlets-as-it-shuts-out-conservative-sites-entirely-study/

https://www.crimeinamerica.net/54-million-police-citizen-contacts-2-percent-involve-force-or-threat-of-force/

Alex Pretti KARE11 News - https://youtu.be/DuWsYt6aJ5M?si=z0rg-J7EKl2wYNqf

Renne Good video - New York Post: https://youtu.be/5SafgHV2wLM?si=NURniL91oea_MxFm

Procedural Justice Training: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1920671117

Multi City Hotspots: https://crimejusticelab.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Procedural-Justice-Police.pdf

https://www.policinginstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/NPI-Research-in-Brief-Hot-Spots-Jun-2022.pdf

2023 Meta-analysis: https://www.air.org/project/effectiveness-reform-efforts-focused-police-use-force-and-complaints-systematic-review-and

https://academic.oup.com/policing/article/doi/10.1093/police/paae126/7913517

Community Policing: Building Trust to Lower force harm. https://news.yale.edu/2019/09/16/study-finds-community-oriented-policing-improves-attitudes-toward-police

De-Escalation Training: Louisville ICAT RCT (Engel et al., 2022); Tempe, AZ Squad RCT (White et al., 2023)

https://leknowledgelab.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/LEKL-Research-Summary_Police-De-Escalation-Training.pdf