What law enforcement can learn from a new study examining contagious fire in policing

The phenomenon of contagious fire, where police officers are influenced to discharge their firearms upon hearing gunfire from their peers, has been a subject of concern and speculation in law enforcement circles.

Recent research spearheaded by a coalition of law enforcement professionals and academics has provided empirical evidence supporting the existence of this phenomenon. The study, titled "An Experimental Test of the Contagious Fire Thesis in Policing," delves into the mechanics and implications of contagious fire, offering valuable insights that could reshape training and operational strategies in policing.

In this week’s episode of the Policing Matters podcast, host Jim Dudley speaks with the experts who contributed to this groundbreaking research, including John DeCarlo, retired police chief and professor of Criminal Justice at the Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences and Eric Dlugolenski, an assistant professor at Central Connecticut State University and a retired police sergeant, who led the study in conjunction with the Farmington (New Mexico) Police Department and the Las Vegas Department of Public Safety. Also joining the discussion are Farmington Police Chief Steve Hebbe and Chief Jason Potts, the Public Safety Director in Las Vegas.

This episode of the Policing Matters podcast is sponsored by Skydio. Learn more about how Skydio enhances public safety and operational efficiency by visiting Skydio.com.