There is a difference between a Training Scenario and a Testing Scenario so be clear on which it is before you start. In a training scenario is it acceptable to stop the scenario if the officer is about to crash and burn in a big way, talk with them about what they are feeling and thinking, guide them to a plan to fix the problem and then restart the scenario. If it is a Testing Scenario then the Pass / Fail objectives need to be clear and consistent and the officer will go through the scenario start to finish. Make sure all the instructors doing the evaluations are clear about what constitutes a fail and are constant in their assessments.
There is a difference between a drill and a scenario. Scenarios are designed to allow the officers to assess the situation and make decisions regarding their response and any force response options they may utilize. Drills are often designed to have the officer use a specific tool or tactic. Do not confuse the two. If you are running an instructor course for a specific tool or product and want the officer to use that tool then you need to run drills, not scenarios. If you run scenarios you need to be willing to accept that the officer will go through every scenario and never once deploy your tool or weapon. If that is not acceptable to you, then be clear with the officers that you are running drills designed for them to deploy that tool and not running scenarios.
There is a difference between testing and training and, there is a difference between drills and scenarios so be very clear going in which it is.
Take care.
Brian Willis
Inspiring law enforcement professionals to – Think differently about training and leadership by applying Life’s Most Powerful Question – What’s Important Now?
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