Training: Page 5

Undercover Lifeline Training: 7 Scenarios

Personnel who are well trained will "react" rather than panic when the time comes to take action. The more you train and the more confident you are, the less you will fall victim to the devastating effects of tunnel vision. Here are seven exercises to cover the more common scenarios that may arise.

Photo: Curtis Gregory Perry.

How to Improve Back-up for Undercover Units

To understand the complexities of mounting a take-down operation such as rescuing an undercover agent from a secure location under the control of armed violators, undercover agents must be trained as a SWAT operator. There's no in-between here.

FTOs: Guardians at the Gates

The Field Training Officer (FTO) stands as the guardian at the gates leading to Copland. The FTO is the link from the academy to the realities and harshness of real-life applications. They oversee how you apply all of the principles you've been taught and determine whether you're worthy of carrying on the burden of these to the next generation.

Handgun Trigger-Pull Assessments for Recruits

The trigger-pull assessment can be an important teaching tool particularly in getting prepared for firearms training, helping new recruits improve their grip strength prior to them entering the program, planning for remedial training, and setting goals for the curriculum. You can discern many things by watching how an individual picks up and handles a weapon for the first time for example.

Students run through the trigger-pull assessment. Photo: Bruce Cameron.

Even Pros Practice

Just like some golfers, we often talk about all of the cool ways to avoid practice, hoping the latest fad in some magazine will make us the pro we want to be without putting in the work.

Games To Enhance Your Performance

A recruit may wonder if he or she will ever get some down time. My job is to drive you to develop a fine knowledgeable officer, rather than someone wanting an easy pass. Training is hard work, even if it's a game.

Photo: RW PhotoBug.

Interpersonal Communication Training

Interpersonal communication is a physical skill and must be trained like any other skill. This means running drills and scenarios that are dedicated to improving an officer's ability to persuade and gain voluntary compliance.

FTOs Must Embrace a Change Agent Role

I've always believed that the FTO should be the first one registered for training. If they are to pass on the knowledge, they have to be the sharpest. They need to be the ones leading way to embrace and implement change for the good.

Take Your Training Seriously

Don't tell me, "If you want me on the clock, you'll pay me for it." I know many officers who have to pay out of their own pockets and take time off to attend top-notch training. Take control of your destiny. Planning to excel on the streets takes investment from you.

Setting Goals: Aim High

A trusted firearms instructor recently expressed frustration with the recruits at his academy. Because some aren't natural shooters, he must constantly remind them that every shot is aimed. Projectiles don't miraculously appear on the target. The fundamentals are the same for each shot: you aim each one.

Photo: Scott Smith.

ILEETA: Top Trainers Gather in Chicagoland

The signs of the global budget woes did not stop several from attending. One interesting point this year was it appears more trainers attended on their own personal time and expense. This clearly shows the dedication of the professional trainers of this organization and their devotion to their calling as a law enforcement trainer.

Know Your Recruit

If you find yourself in the role of Field Training Officer (FTO) or occasional trainer, please make an effort to understand the background of your recruits. For the one-on-one trainer, try to grasp the knowledge, skills, and abilities of your trainee. If both of you do this, you'll save yourself wasted time, aggravation, ruffled student, egos and probably maximize valuable training time.

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