May 2009: Training to Prevent Lawsuits

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5/26/2009 12:18 PM
Melanie View Melanie's profile Find recent posts by Melanie Find recent threads started by Melanie Send private message to Melanie Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 85	May 2009: Training to Prevent Lawsuits Many agencies cut back on training dollars when times are tough. What's your experience? Are you afraid you'll get sued because you won't have adequate training? Last edited @ 5/26/2009 12:19 PM

5/26/2009 12:18 PM

May 2009: Training to Prevent Lawsuits

Many agencies cut back on training dollars when times are tough. What's your experience? Are you afraid you'll get sued because you won't have adequate training?

Last edited @ 5/26/2009 12:19 PM

REPLY 1 - 2 of 2

6/6/2009 5:33 PM	#1
Steve Rothstein View Steve Rothstein's profile Find recent posts by Steve Rothstein Find recent threads started by Steve Rothstein Send private message to Steve Rothstein Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 379	RE: May 2009: Training to Prevent Lawsuits Being one of the trainers in my agency, my fear is almost the opposite. I have to constantly work to convince the upper management that we need certain training done to prevent the agency being sued. I am always asking for more supplies and materials for training, and paying for it is always a problem. The bright side is that the recession did not affect this for me (yet). It has been an on-going battle since I started at the agency and I expect it to continue long after I am gone. Money is always in shorter supply than the demand for it in every agency.

6/6/2009 5:33 PM

RE: May 2009: Training to Prevent Lawsuits

Being one of the trainers in my agency, my fear is almost the opposite. I have to constantly work to convince the upper management that we need certain training done to prevent the agency being sued. I am always asking for more supplies and materials for training, and paying for it is always a problem.

The bright side is that the recession did not affect this for me (yet). It has been an on-going battle since I started at the agency and I expect it to continue long after I am gone. Money is always in shorter supply than the demand for it in every agency.

6/13/2009 6:15 AM	#2
Ofc.RachelT View Ofc.RachelT's profile Find recent posts by Ofc.RachelT Find recent threads started by Ofc.RachelT Send private message to Ofc.RachelT Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 216	What is it worth? What is worth the money to the police management? Law enforcement is one of those professions that needs training no matter how short the budget (I'm sure we are all well aware of this). Some training may have to be reduced as far as how much time is spent on it. But do not eliminate certain training entirely. I really think that as a brother/sisterhood, the experienced veterans should take time (on or off duty) to show the rookies a few tips on their own time after a training session to help the instructor elaborate what is being taught. I had a few good officers that did so for us Reserves. I owe them for their generosity in teaching some valuable information, and sure...we had fun. Who doesn't like to play SWAT? :-) Here's why I like the free-time "play": First, you are taking your own under your wing and giving them life-saving information. Second, these are the people that are going to watch your back. Third, The United States is in a serious bind, and so are police agencies. But criminals don't care. They will keep on killing, robbing, and hunting cops down. How many of us still want untrained officers riding next to us? Are we not going back to the days of unprofessional police where new recruits we handed a badge and a gun and told to "just go enforce the law how ever"? If we do, history will repeat itself. What is it worth to you? Lousy or untrained personnel based strictly on the budget, or do we all take the time to build each other up? I don't believe in placing a heavy burden on the trainers to "Make it happen" with less resources, time, and money. That is not fair to the trainer, it is not fair to the law enforcement officers, and the agency is gravely asking to be put out of business. Lawyers aren't going to give a rats rear end whether or not the officers lack training or are highly trained. They are going to see another opportunity to get a criminal off the hook, get paid well for doing that, and hopefully unemploy another officer who keeps giving them parking tickets. We will make it easier for them by not having officers very well trained. "Is your number still 911?" - Ofc. Rachel T.

6/13/2009 6:15 AM

Ofc.RachelT

Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 216

What is it worth?

What is worth the money to the police management?

Law enforcement is one of those professions that needs training no matter how short the budget (I'm sure we are all well aware of this). Some training may have to be reduced as far as how much time is spent on it. But do not eliminate certain training entirely.

I really think that as a brother/sisterhood, the experienced veterans should take time (on or off duty) to show the rookies a few tips on their own time after a training session to help the instructor elaborate what is being taught. I had a few good officers that did so for us Reserves. I owe them for their generosity in teaching some valuable information, and sure...we had fun. Who doesn't like to play SWAT? :-)

Here's why I like the free-time "play": First, you are taking your own under your wing and giving them life-saving information. Second, these are the people that are going to watch your back. Third, The United States is in a serious bind, and so are police agencies. But criminals don't care. They will keep on killing, robbing, and hunting cops down. How many of us still want untrained officers riding next to us? Are we not going back to the days of unprofessional police where new recruits we handed a badge and a gun and told to "just go enforce the law how ever"? If we do, history will repeat itself.

What is it worth to you? Lousy or untrained personnel based strictly on the budget, or do we all take the time to build each other up?

I don't believe in placing a heavy burden on the trainers to "Make it happen" with less resources, time, and money. That is not fair to the trainer, it is not fair to the law enforcement officers, and the agency is gravely asking to be put out of business.

Lawyers aren't going to give a rats rear end whether or not the officers lack training or are highly trained. They are going to see another opportunity to get a criminal off the hook, get paid well for doing that, and hopefully unemploy another officer who keeps giving them parking tickets. We will make it easier for them by not having officers very well trained.

"Is your number still 911?" - Ofc. Rachel T.