Overview

Professor Connor began his law enforcement service in 1967, joining the Ann Arbor (Michigan) Police Department, serving as a patrol officer with assignments in general patrol, special operations, felony enforcement, etc. In 1970 he became the youngest member of the prestigious University of Illinois Police Training Institute. The Institute, established in 1955, trains more than 1500 recruit and veteran officers in both law enforcement and corrections annually. In addition to his wide variety of instructional areas, he has published numerous articles and manuals widely utilized by officers in training, and in the field. Through the University's "tactical experience" program, he was able to serve on the Naperville (IL) and the Mahomet (IL) Police Departments during his instructional tenure.

In the mid-1970's Professor Connor created the first "force continuum" as an instructional aide, continuing to refine its design in an effort to assist law enforcement trainers across the nation. In 1990 he was selected as a fellowship recipient with the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, and tasked with the assignment of designing and developing a standardized learning mechanism on force utilization for the more than seventy Federal law enforcement agencies in the country. In 1991, the Federal Use of Force Model was introduced to Federal, state, and local agencies in the United States. In 1993 it was adopted by the United Nations in its police training programs on an international basis. Today, the Use of Force Model, is the most widely used focusing mechanism for the understanding and application of proper force utilization.

In 1994, Professor Connor created the concept and components of the Integrated Force Management Program. This Program consolidates and coordinates the entire realm of force design and delivery into a systematic structure. It has been implemented in some of the most professional police agencies in the country, including the United States Air Force, Tacoma (WA), Clarksville (TN), and Palatine (IL).

In 2001, Professor Connor retired from active policing and the University of Illinois Police Training Institute. Professor Connor was awarded Emeritus status by the University for his years of service to the officers, agencies, and citizens of the state of Illinois and the nation in the areas of law enforcement and corrections training.

Since his retirement, he has continued to provide his unique instructional experience and professional expertize to officers and agencies via articles and texts, expert testimony, and training courses.