Winnipeg police are involved in an innovative study centred on examining the effects extreme physical and mental stress have on officers' memories.
Last month, 52 Winnipeg officers took part in the study, which involved completing tasks such as hitting a punching bag and running until exhausted, before moving past people, including someone posed as a suspect.
Blood samples were taken from the officers and they were quizzed on what they remembered.
"Even though I knew the people were there…(during testing), I couldn't remember it," said Const. Sami Haddad from the Winnipeg Police Service.
Renowned behavioral scientist Dr. Bill Lewinski's Force Science institute spearheaded the study.
"The more exhausted an officer is, the less they able they are to report on what it is they are engaged in," said Lewinski.
While Force Science is still working on the study, some believe the work undertaken in Winnipeg will eventually be used for training, along with police investigations and court cases across the globe.
"This is going to help officers all over the world," said Patrol Sgt. Jason Anderson of the WPS.
A full segment on the study will air on Discovery Channel's Daily Planet show. It's tentatively scheduled to air on Oct. 18.
- with a report from CTV's Stacey Ashley
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- more information on Force Science is available online on the organization's website
