Use of force incidents are among the most professionally and personally demanding experiences an officer may face, and the responsibilities do not end when the encounter concludes. This course examines the critical importance of sustained engagement, professionalism, and resilience in the aftermath of a force event. Participants will explore how post-incident responsibilities, investigative processes, and personal responses affect both individual well-being and organizational outcomes. The course reinforces the importance of remaining engaged, accountable, and prepared following use of force, emphasizing how resilience and professional conduct support defensible outcomes and long-term effectiveness.
Instructor: Lt. Matthew Botterbusch
Lieutenant Matthew Botterbusch is a 27-year law enforcement veteran and the architect behind Delaware’s first dedicated, full-time Use of Force Review and Analysis Unit. Matthew has worked as a patrol officer, undercover narcotics detective, SWAT team leader, Mobile Field Force team leader, and drug recognition expert. With over 23 years of instructor experience, he serves as the senior instructor for use of force and control tactics, as well as firearms, narcotics investigations, operational planning, and tactical operations at his agency, which has a strength of 415 sworn personnel. Matthew has served as a supervisor in patrol, narcotics, street crimes units, and as the Patrol Executive Officer. He has received certifications in force analysis and human performance through the Force Science Institute, Critical Incident Review, and Advanced Human Factors through the Association of Force Investigators. Additionally, Matthew provides outside agency instruction, consultation, and presentations nationwide on the key principles of human factors and forensic video analysis, force analysis unit development, as well as the best practices for use of force review and management. As an active law enforcement supervisor and analyst, Matthew is also the co-founder of First State Force Review LLC and serves as an advisory board member for the Association of Force Investigators.
- Credit Hours: 1
- Area: 201
- Topic: Use of Force
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