Training Update

Establishing a Training Unit

Written by Ed Nowicki

Large city and suburban law enforcement agencies have a training unit, department or academy because it is needed. What about smaller agencies? Do they also need a training unit? The answer is a clear and resounding, “Yes!”

The “training unit” does not need to be large. In fact, one officer can handle the duties, even if it’s part of that officer’s regular duties. The agency “training officer” can serve as the agency training unit. That person should know what the expectations of the training officer are and what resources they will have available. The main goal of the training unit, large team or one officer, is to see that proper learning always happens.

An agency “training officer” can be a non-sworn position, although it helps if that non-sworn person has a law enforcement background. Hiring a retired officer can fill the civilianized position. It may be more appropriate to use the title of “training coordinator” for a civilian position.

Selecting the right person for the job is an extremely important decision. The selection may not be that difficult if you know what qualities you are looking for. Insights into the “training officer” selection process are available in the November 2008, article published by LAW and ORDER in the “Training” column titled, “Managing a Training Unit.” Check under the Resources-Article Archives on the website.

First, determine the responsibilities of the training unit. These goals of the training unit should be written. The goals provide a framework for the direction of the unit. They can consist of many factors, such as developing a strategic agency “training plan” approved by the chief or sheriff; conducting a “training needs assessment” to determine agency training needs; documenting all training, including course materials and officers’ training records; and purchasing equipment needed for training.

They can also consist of maintaining state training standards to meet or surpass specific state training requirements; scheduling and coordinating all mandatory training; scheduling and coordinating all specialized training for specialized skills; scheduling and coordinating all qualification requirements, such as firearms qualifications; researching new and innovative ways to conduct training; researching and gathering information on new training programs; and identifying areas where training is needed for individual officers.

The training officer’s responsibilities could be reviewing new training program offerings by other agencies or private providers; addressing the training needs of civilian personnel; working with specialized units to determine specialized training needs of these officers; developing necessary documentation, including registration forms, course evaluation forms, tests, lesson plans, promotional materials, and other documentation; and preparing reports for upper management and/or for the annual department report.

The agency training officer should have a specific area within the department where training records can be maintained in a secure manner. A locked office or locked file cabinet can work. Records can also be mainlined with various software programs, such as CopTrak (www.coptrak.com), which is relatively inexpensive for what it does.

If it is possible to conduct quality training within the agency, a designated training room is also preferred. Just because you can conduct training “in house” does not mean that you should. A proper classroom does not consist of pulling the fire engine out of one of the garage bays, then using folding chairs for an eight-hour classroom-training program.

A better training room alternative is to see if an area corporation or hotel will allow the agency to rent a classroom or breakout room for a reasonable price. If the environment is non-conducive to learning, it will make learning difficult. Noise, visual distractions and temperature extremes are barriers to effective learning.

If it’s a hands-on program, there may be special scheduling considerations. Typical hands-on training programs include firearms, defensive tactics and emergency vehicle operations. These programs require special facilities, such as a firearms range, training room with gym mats or a driving track. There are special requirements for other training programs, such as an area for evidence collecting and gathering training program.

There are also training equipment needs, which can include any of the following: gym mats; striking pads or bags; LCD projectors; projection screens; notebook computers; DVD players and large TV monitors; photo copiers; computer printers; high-speed Internet access; training weapons; and protective equipment for defensive tactics. Cost may be a factor in the purchase of any equipment, but it should never be a consideration when safety is sacrificed.

Much of the training support technology now costs a fraction of what it once cost. For example, a 4,000-lumen projector cost over $10,000 about five years ago, but it is now available for under $1,500. A 2200-lumen LCD projector can be bought on sale for under $600. DVD players are relatively cheap. The next video playing technology, Blu-ray, is finally seeing prices fall, so a Blu-ray player may also become a necessary piece of equipment.

One area that is frequently neglected is taking advantage of special skills or knowledge of agency personnel. Taking a personnel-skill inventory may assist the training unit personnel. The assistance can be a direct skill, such as having a competitive combat shooter in the ranks. The officer may be glad to assist during firearms training if asked.

An example of indirect skill might be an officer who shoots wedding videos as a part-time business. The training unit can use his video-shooting skills to create short law enforcement training snippets or even longer training videos. Shoot / no-shoot videos can even be made for use on a firearms simulator.

The question needs to be asked, “Is there conflict between how officers are trained and agency rules, regulations and policies?” If the answer is, “Yes,” then there is a potential problem. It is imperative that consistency is established. The plan to iron out problems may be a responsibility of the training unit. One hopes that this will be addressed in cooperation with upper management.

The training unit should operate in an open manner rather than have personnel be protective of their turf. There are many alternative training resources. Local colleges or universities, private companies, computer-based training, legitimate correspondence courses, other agencies, Web-based training, and video training can all be sources of training.

The Law Enforcement Activities Division (LEAD) of the National Rifle Association (www.nrahq.org/law/) offers a number of law enforcement firearms instructor training programs at reasonable prices. The FBI, through its Field and Police Training Unit can provide free training on a number of law enforcement topics, from management training to law enforcement instructor development. FBI training should be arranged through the designated “training officer” of the local FBI office.

Do some personnel, sworn or non-sworn, need training in various computer programs? Microsoft offers free self-paced training courses (http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/training/default.aspx) in a number of areas, including Word and PowerPoint. The use of PowerPoint Microsoft is a necessary skill for almost any instructor during classroom presentations. Microsoft also offers training Webcasts and podcasts. Mac aficionados can even have access to a free online seminar on how to start and create podcasts (http://www.seminars.apple.com/seminarsonline/podcastproducer/apple/), in both audio and video versions.

Training unit personnel must continue to realize that they are a staff function—one that serves those who do the job, rather than a function that dictates. Those who are in charge of training must also realize that comprehensive documentation is necessary. Remember, undocumented training isn’t worth the paper that it’s printed on.

Ed Nowicki, a nationally recognized use-of-force expert, is a part-time officer for the Twin Lakes (WI) Police Department. He presents use-of-force instructor certification courses across the nation and is the executive director of ILEETA. He can be reached at ed@ileeta.org.