In the world of law enforcement, few challenges are as complex or consequential as understanding human behaviour under extreme stress.
At the ANZPAA Police Conference 2025, AFP Leading Senior Constable Michael Roscoe offered a rare and candid glimpse into the evolving science and practice of threat assessment dynamics – a discipline that sits at the intersection of psychology, education and operational expertise.
His insights, drawn from decades of frontline experience and ongoing research, illuminate both the pitfalls and possibilities facing investigators and officers in critical incidents.
L/Snr Cst Roscoe emphasised that the quality of an investigation hinges not just on technical skill but on the investigator’s understanding of cognitive processes under stress. He warns of the dangers of ‘retrieval-induced forgetting’. A phenomenon where poorly framed questions can inadvertently suppress crucial memories, not through any fault of the investigator but due to the complex workings of the human mind. This underscores the need for investigators to be trained not only in procedure, but in the science of memory and stress response.
Traditional police training, he argued, has focused heavily on technical skills: how to lecture, use equipment and manage tense situations. But the real challenge lies beneath the surface, in the psychological and educational constructs that govern skill learning and development. Officers must understand not just what to do, but how stress alters both body and mind. Without this knowledge, investigators risk asking the wrong questions, potentially creating cognitive ‘riffs’ that obscure the truth.
To address this, L/Snr Cst Roscoe and his team have developed a three-part online learning program called Threat Assessment Dynamics, now available beyond the AFP, that covers the effects of stress on function, skill learning and the unique challenge of ‘surviving the investigation’. The goal is not just to survive the immediate threat but to ensure the integrity of the investigation that follows.
Drawing on real-life examples (including critical incident shootings), L/Snr Cst Roscoe illustrates how training in threat assessment dynamics can make the difference between life and death. He emphasises the importance of situational awareness, referencing Mica Endsley’s model: perceive, comprehend, project, decide and feedback. Officers are taught to link mnemonic devices to this model, enhancing recall and decision-making under pressure.
A standout segment of the presentation examined perceptual distortions: experiences where time appears to slow, memories become fragmented and the brain encodes traumatic events in distinctive ways. Such distortions play a significant role in shaping the evidence that officers and witnesses are able to provide. He cautions against over-reliance on body-worn cameras, noting that the cameras capture objective reality, while the brain filters experience through a complex web of memory and emotion.
A key insight from L/Snr Cst Roscoe is that the brain operates predictively, building models, anticipating needs and preparing responses ahead of incoming sensory information.
This predictive capacity is what allows officers to respond rapidly in high-stress situations but also means that training must focus on minimising prediction errors and refining the generative models that guide behaviour.
All AFP OST instructors complete an in-depth online micro credentialled training program to better understand the psychology and research underpinning human behaviour reactions under extreme stress. The TAD practical component for officers uses a live role player during a series of defined vignettes (short, live confrontations) that are designed to teach officers how to recognise pre-combat markers, manage gaze control and make split-second decisions using a pause, correction, play methodology.
The training is designed to move beyond ‘conveyor belt’ instruction, fostering creativity and adaptability. Research cited in the presentation showed that mnemonic devices improve both immediate and delayed recall, with officers retaining more details and demonstrating greater accuracy in high-pressure situations.
L/Snr Cst Roscoe’s message is one of empowerment.
As he put it, “Knowledge of psychology, neuroscience and operational tactics is the key to surviving and thriving in high-stress environments. By understanding the science behind behaviour, officers can avoid common pitfalls, support their own welfare, and ensure that investigations yield the truth.”
This editorial draws directly from Leading Senior Constable Michael Roscoe (Australian Federal Police) presentation at the ANZPAA Police Conference 2025.
Members only access
All Australia and New Zealand police members/employees are entitled to access this publication through ANZPAA's secure member site. You must provide your official police jurisdictional email address to subscribe.
LoginSubscribe
BACK TO BLOG