Issue link: http://lawandordermag.epubxp.com/i/144260
Training Never Gets Old Share the Knowledge The profle of the average offcer feloniously assaulted in the period of 2001–2010 may surprise you. According to LEOKA, the average age of the victim offcer was 38 years old with 11 years on the job. Time on the job and experience with tactical threats build experience but not necessarily effectiveness. Nobody is exempt from being ambushed so nobody should be exempt from training. Training cadre should prepare all offcers for any contingency they may face on the street. As command staff and trainers, the best way to improve individual offcers' knowledge is to task them with developing and teaching various training objectives. Giving subordinates the responsibility for developing training builds capable and effective offcers and trainers. Task them outside their comfort zone, so with your guidance and oversight, they will become leaders. Good leaders develop a sense of stewardship in subordinates. Good stewardship is learned during tough training in which individuals learn to respect and trust themselves and their leaders. Commanders must invest in their offcers' futures; mentor them so they too gain the valuable experience that is needed to stay alive as they work the streets. Train Fundamentals First Fundamentals that include mindset preparation, threat anticipation & recognition, and combat drills establish the offcer's training foundation for tactical situational awareness. Focus on the offcers' individual skills such as basic response to various tactical situations, defensive tactics drills, marksmanship, ftness, and situational awareness profciency. Offcers profcient in the fundamentals can more easily master the more complex tasks in law enforcement and will be better prepared as they respond to all calls for service and the unexpected ambush. Sgt. Glenn French, with the Sterling Heights Police Department (Metro Detroit), currently serves as the Team Commander for the Special Response Team and supervisor of the Training Bureau. Glenn is the author of Police Tactical Life Saver and President of www.tacticallifesaver.org. LaO Post your comments on this story by visiting www.lawandordermag.com www.lawandordermag.com 41