Training & Education

The Dangers of Circular Reasoning in Police Investigations

Eugene Nielsen Circular reasoning, a logical fallacy in which an argument’s conclusion is used as a premise, is especially dangerous in investigations where objective reasoning and evidence-based decision-making are critical. When circular reasoning infiltrates the investigative process, it undermines the accuracy and fairness of investigations, resulting in flawed conclusions, wrongful convictions and eroded confidence in law enforcement. By understanding this fallacy, its implications and how it can manifest in investigations, law enforcement agencies can take proactive steps to improve their…

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Grounding and Your Justification for It

John G. Peters, Jr., Ph.D.; Darrell L. Ross, Ph.D.; and Michael Brave, Esq. ©2024. A.R.R. The grounding of an individual is an expanding area in civil litigation, expected to persist for many years. The potential complexities involved when law enforcement officers ground a subject often necessitate a careful balance of legal, tactical and medical factors. A Fourth Amendment seizure occurs either (1) by a Law Enforcement Officer’s (LEO’s) application of physical force, however slight, with intent to restrain, or (2)…