Understanding Force Used in Effecting Arrests
Understanding the types of force officers are taught to apply when effecting arrests is a critical skill for oversight investigators, board and commission members, and anyone who reviews police reports or video footage of use of force incidents. On June 7, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. EST NACOLE will welcome Retired Captain Spencer Fomby to discuss and demonstrate basic academy-taught use of force techniques used to effect arrests. Using slides and video, he will demonstrate the correct and incorrect way to apply restraint holds and takedowns, deliver body strikes, apply handcuffs, among other types of force. Captain Fomby is the former director of the Boise, Idaho Police Department's Training, Education, and Development Division. He was previously employed by the Berkeley Police Department in California for 20 years. He has held primary assignments in patrol, narcotics, and crime prevention. He was assigned to SWAT for 18 years as an entry team member, team leader, and tactical commander.
Retired Captain Spencer Fomby is the former director of the Boise, Idaho Police Department's Training, Education, and Development Division. He was previously employed by the Berkeley Police Department in California for 20 years. He has held primary assignments in patrol, narcotics, and crime prevention. He was assigned to SWAT for 18 years as an entry team member, team leader, and tactical commander.
Spencer is a certified instructor in firearms, defensive tactics, less-lethal weapons, SWAT, Public Order, chemical agents, and de-escalation. Spencer has been recognized as a subject matter expert in police tactics and works on several national projects. He is the section chair for the National Tactical Officers Association Public Order Section. Spencer was the 2011 Berkeley Police Department Officer of the Year.
He was the team leader of the 2013 Urban Shield SWAT Competition first place team. He was also a Visiting Fellow in Police Science at the University of Derby. Spencer earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Administration of Justice from Howard University.