Police use of force is one of the most scrutinized and misunderstood actions in modern society.

Too often, force is judged through slow-motion video, hindsight, and unrealistic expectations that ignore the realities officers face in rapidly evolving, high-stress encounters. This book provides a clear, constitutionally grounded explanation of how force decisions are actually made, how courts evaluate those decisions, and why human performance, resistance, and context matter. Drawing on decades of experience in law enforcement, training, and academic research, Dr. Michael D. Schlosser explains:

• Why force must be evaluated under the totality of the circumstances
• How stress, fatigue, and perception shape officer decision-making
• Why use-of-force models are often misunderstood and misapplied
• The biomechanics and realities of physical control during resistance
• How constitutional standards differ from policy, public perception, and hindsight analysis

This book bridges the gap between theory and reality, offering insight for law enforcement professionals, supervisors, attorneys, investigators, policymakers, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of one of policing’s most important responsibilities. Clear, practical, and grounded in constitutional law, this work provides a framework for evaluating force that is both fair and realistic.

Dr. Michael D. Schlosser is a nationally recognized expert in police use of force, control tactics, and officer training. He served more than 20 years with the Rantoul Police Department and later spent two decades at the University of Illinois Police Training Institute, where he served as an instructor and ultimately as Director. Dr. Schlosser has trained thousands of law enforcement officers and instructors across the United States in use-of-force decision-making, control and arrest tactics, officer wellness, and officer safety. He is a certified Master Control Tactics Instructor and has served as a consultant and expert witness in cases involving police use of force. He holds a doctorate in education and has authored numerous professional articles on policing, training, and human performance under stress. In addition to his law enforcement career, he holds a 9th-degree black belt in Okinawan Karate, a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and continues to teach officers and instructors. Dr. Schlosser resides in Illinois and remains actively involved in law enforcement training and consulting.