High-Threat Decisions When It’s a Matter of Life and Death

List of Figures and Tables 

Acknowledgments 

Chapter 1: Introduction 

     Context 

Research Problem 

Research Questions 

Research Design Overview 

Study Rationale and Significance 

Researcher Background 

Definitions of Key Terminology 

Chapter 2: Literature Review 

Introduction and Rationale for Topics 

Literature Review Process 

Applied Theoretical Decision-Making 

Decision-Making in High-Threat Training Simulations 

Decision-Making in High-Threat Real-life Situations 

Topic 2: Adult Learning Theory 

Learning Strategies and Cognition 

Summary and Conclusions 

Conceptual Framework 

Chapter 3: Methodology Introduction and 

Rationale for Qualitative Methodology

Research Design Overview 

Discussion of Sample Data 

Collection Methods 

Survey 

Focus Groups 

Data Analysis and Synthesis 

Protection of Human Subjects and Other Ethical Considerations 

Credibility 

Transferability 

Dependability 

Confirmability 

Chapter 4: Findings 

Participant Description 

Summary of the Findings 

Sub-Finding 1.1: Safety of involved and potentially involved people 

Sub-Finding 1.2: Current and potential threat levels for most likely and worst-case incident outcomes 

Sub-Finding 1.3: Situational Assessments and Planning 

Sub-Finding 1.4: Emotional Control 

Sub-Finding 2.1: Questions – Safety of involved and potentially involved people 

Sub-Finding 2.2: Questions – Current and potential threat levels 

Sub-Finding 2.3: Questions – Who, what, when, why, and how for a given situation 

Sub-Finding 2.4: Questions – Determining an opportune moment in time for taking decisive action 

Finding 3 

Sub-Finding 3.1: Intelligence/Information 

Sub-Finding 3.3: Communication 

Sub-Finding 3.4: Resources 

Finding 4 

Sub-Finding 4.1: Experience – Tactical team 

Sub-Finding 4.3: Training – Wide-ranging and continual 

Conclusion 

Chapter 5: Analysis 

Introduction 

Analytical Categories 

Analysis and Discussion 

Analysis and Discussion of Finding 1 

Sub-Finding 1.2: Current and potential threat levels for most likely and worst-case incident outcomes 

Sub-Finding 1.4: Emotional control 

Analysis and Discussion of Finding 2 

Sub-Finding 2.1: Questions – Safety of involved and potentially involved people 

Sub-Finding 2.2: Questions – Current and potential threat levels 

Sub-Finding 2.4: Questions – Determining an opportune moment in time for taking decisive action 

Sub-Finding 3.1: Intelligence/Information 

Sub-Finding 3.2: Experience 

Sub-Finding 3.3: Communication 

Sub-Finding 3.4: Resources 

Sub-Finding 4.1: Experience – Tactical team 

Sub-Finding 4.2: Mentoring – Previous commanders 

Sub-Finding 4.3: Training – Wide-ranging and continual 

Decision-Making Models 

Decision-Making Process Planning 

Planning Process Adjustments 

Chapter 6: Conclusions and Recommendations 

Conclusions 

Conclusion 2 

Conclusion 3 

Conclusion 4 

Conclusion 5 

Research Recommendations 

Practice Recommendations 

Re-examining Study Assumptions 

Final Reflections 

References 

Appendix A: Conceptual Framework 

Appendix B: Demographic Inventory 

Appendix C: Interview Protocol 

Appendix D: Survey Protocol 

Appendix E: Focus Group Protocol 

Appendix F: Informed Consent Form

Dr. Stuart Meyers, Ed.D. is the CEO of OpTac International, Inc., and has been the Director of SWAT Operations and Training in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and Program Director and Assistant Professor of Public Protection & Safety at Louisiana State University, Eunice. He is the author of the books, SWAT Operations and Critical Incidents: Why People Die, SWAT Fitness, A Guide To Police Sniping, and Police Sniper Administrative Policy & Training. Stuart continues developing elite SWAT teams, writing policy and protocols, conducting tactical team evaluations, and teaching a wide range of public safety, criminal justice, homeland security, emergency management, and leadership courses throughout the world. He has trained domestic and foreign counter-terrorist teams, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Special Forces, and federal, state, and local law enforcement personnel across the globe. He holds a Doctor of Education degree in Adult Learning and Leadership (AEGIS) from Teachers College, Columbia University and a Master of Liberal Arts degree from Harvard University. His extensive executive problem-solving and special operations experience have made him a sought-after special consultant for domestic and foreign governments.