Blue to Gold Course

Response to Resistance: The Legal Realities of Use of Force in Modern Policing

Good tactics are vital to law enforcement officers in their efforts to keep our communities safe, but they are just the beginning. This course will provide officers with a greater understanding of use of force case law, allowing them to more effectively recognize the legally-significant factors present when responding to resistance. After taking this class, attendees will also better comprehend the impact of stress on human performance, and both the value and limitations of body-worn cameras. Whether you are a patrol officer, a detective, a supervisor, a prosecutor, or part of your agency's leadership, understanding the legal realities of use of force is integral to modern policing. A superior knowledge of the law will reduce use of force incidents and decrease liability for your agency, empowering officers to provide the highest level of service to their citizenry.

8 Hours

Trusted by 500+ agencies

Training selected by law enforcement teams nationwide.

Real world

Practical legal guidance for the situations officers face.

Practical training

Clear, usable instruction built for the field.

Expert instructors

Experienced professionals who make complex law understandable.

Good tactics are essential for keeping communities safe, but understanding the legal side of use of force is just as critical. This course gives officers a solid grasp of the case law that shapes use of force decisions, helping them recognize legally significant factors when responding to resistance.

The course also dives into how stress impacts human performance, and explains both the benefits and limitations of body-worn cameras in documenting use of force incidents. Whether an officer is on patrol, working as a detective, or serving in a supervisory or leadership role, a strong understanding of the legal realities of use of force is key to modern policing.

A thorough knowledge of the law not only helps reduce unnecessary force incidents but also decreases liability for agencies—empowering officers to provide the highest level of service to their communities.

By the end of the course, officers will be equipped to make sound, legally defensible decisions during use of force incidents, helping them serve the public safely and effectively.

Response to Resistance: The Legal Realities of Use of Force in Modern Policing course ticket
Course Resources

Prepare with the details you need.

Access the original course materials and information provided by Blue to Gold.

Included Resources

Training that stays useful beyond the classroom.

Response to Resistance: The Legal Realities of Use of Force in Modern Policing certificate

Certificate of Completion

Provided by Blue to Gold for this course.

Blue to Gold class workbooks

Class Workbook

Included with this course for guided notes and practical reference.

John Wiehn
Your Instructor

John Wiehn

Attorney - Senior Legal Instructor

John Wiehn is an Attorney and Senior Legal Instructor with Blue to Gold Law Enforcement Training. John has been training law enforcement officers for over a decade; he is committed to increasing officers’ safety through their understanding of case law and its real-world application. John’s professional endeavors have provided him the opportunity to learn with thousands of officers across the nation.

Before teaching search and seizure full-time, John was a Certified Peace Officer in the State of Arizona. His assignments included Field Training Officer, SWAT Operator, SWAT Less-Lethal Senior Grenadier, and Patrol Sergeant.

John’s education includes undergraduate degrees from the University of Arizona. He graduated from Pepperdine University School of Law in Malibu, California, where he also received a Certificate at the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, and is a practicing member of the Arizona State Bar.

Learn More About John
Bring this course to your agency

Host a training built for your team.

Explore available formats and schedule the course that fits your agency's needs.

Explore availability