The Raleigh Police Department is proud to recognize Officer Slade of the Use of Force Training and Analysis Unit (UFTA) for earning his certification as an Advanced Specialist in Behavioral Analysis of Force Encounters—a significant professional achievement that strengthens the department’s commitment to excellence, accountability, and evidence-based policing.
Members of UFTA are required to complete the Force Science Analyst course as part of their role in reviewing and analyzing use-of-force incidents. Officer Slade chose to go even further, completing the Advanced Force Science Specialist Course—an intensive 300-hour, 18-week program designed to expand expertise in behavioral science as it applies to high-stress law enforcement situations.
The advanced course builds upon foundational Force Science training and focuses on the complex human performance factors present in critical incidents. Participants study motor movement processes and how officers physically respond under stress. The curriculum also examines cognitive functions—including attention, eye scanning, visual focus, pattern recognition, anticipation, decision-making, and memory—and how those factors influence behavior during use-of-force encounters.
Throughout the program, students engage with leading-edge research, academic textbooks, and peer-reviewed journal articles authored by experts in the field. Participants also interact directly with researchers, analyze primary source materials, and apply scientific principles to real-world case studies.
Officer Slade’s dedication to advanced training enhances UFTA’s ability to conduct thorough, objective, and research-informed analyses of critical incidents. His achievement reflects the Raleigh Police Department’s continued investment in professional development and its commitment to transparency, continuous improvement, and serving the community with the highest standards of professionalism.
Please join us in congratulating Officer Slade on this outstanding accomplishment.