24 / 7 Training

I recently received the following e-mail from a very dedicated trainer who I have a great deal of respect for:

Brian,

I need you guidance and help.

I am looking at re- working how we do business reference our In Service Training.  Currently, we only offer training from 8am- 4pm to accommodate the training staff.  I would like to propose, we start accommodating the 450 other officers in my Department.

My thoughts are: we offer two week cycles of shift training.  The Training officers would change their work hours (8am-4pm) to do the training for the masses.  Example:

I would work 11pm-7am for two weeks to training the 100 Officers who work those hours.   They are not changing their sleep schedules, lives etc…  With the current system, shift officers have to change their daily routine for 3 consecutive days twice a year.  This prevents others on their shift from getting time off also during those three days.

I am looking to see if anyone has a written procedure on this type of training cycle.  Do you have any suggestions on where to start looking for such a written document?

I think it is a great idea and something more agencies should look at exploring for a number of reasons:

1. It sends the message that you care enough about your officers that you are willing to alter your shifts for a few weeks of the year to avoid disrupting their lives.
2. It shows that training is not about what is best for the trainers, rather what is best for the officers.
3. It models the belief that training is not a ‘day shift thing’. Training is something that must be done on every shift and ideally every day.
4. It demonstrates that you did not go to the training position so you could get off nights or evenings and work a straight day job, but that you went to training because have a passion for training and that you are committed to providing the best possible training to your officers.

I believe that all these things will result in a greater commitment to training over time by everyone in the agency.

To be honest however, I had to admit that I was unaware of any agencies that had implemented a similar program. I suggested he go to the ILEETA Facebook page and Forums to see if other trainers had already implemented a similar system. If you have already implemented this system in your agency and would be willing to share your experiences please contact me at winningmind@mac.com and let me know so I can pass along your thoughts and your contact information.

Take care.

P.S. We are getting great reviews on the latest book from Warrior Spirit Books –  If I Knew Then: Life Lessons From Cops on the Street. Have you ordered your copy from www.warriorspiritbooks.com yet?

 Brian Willis