In today’s world people are often looking for the shortcut, the hack, the secret. Some want you to just tell them the answer, rather than challenge them do the research, to think, to reflect and to run the experiment(s) to figure it out. The reality is that there are no shortcuts, hacks or secrets and “THE Answer / System / Theory / Model / Tool / Technology” is a myth.
Ecological Dynamics is not “THE Answer” to all real or perceived issues with law enforcement training.
The Constraints Led Approach (CLA) is not “THE Answer” to all real or perceived issues with law enforcement training.
BJJ is not “THE Answer” to all real or perceived law enforcement use of force and subject control tactics issues.
Simulators are not “THE Answer” to all real or perceived issues with law enforcement training.
Virtual Reality is not “THE Answer” to all real or perceived issues with law enforcement training.
Body Worn Cameras are not “THE Answer” to all real or perceived issues in law enforcement.
More time and money are not “THE Answer” to all real or perceived law enforcement training issues.
A new model of CEW is not “THE Answer” to all real or perceived police use of force issues.
More gimmicky tools on the duty belt are not “THE Answer” to all real or perceived police use of force issues.
“De-escalation” (whatever that means) is not “THE Answer” to all real or perceived police use of force issues.
While some would have you believe that their system, theory, pedagogical model, technology, or tool is “THE Answer”, “THE Answer” does not exist. It is a myth. There are principles and concepts in most theories and systems that can be helpful in enhancing the quality and effectiveness of training when applied appropriately, but there is no one system, theory, model, tool, or piece of technology that is the solution to all the real or perceived issues in law enforcement and law enforcement training.
Technology can be a useful tool as part of the total training package, but it is not “THE Answer” and the reality is that even in agencies that do have simulators and VR, the average officer gets very little exposure to them on an annual basis. Based on the feedback I have received from trainers across North America, the extremely limited exposure to those technologies on an annual basis likely does not result in any actual learning.
“There is an art that goes into coaching and that art can be informed by the science. While we can provide some guidance through science there is still a huge experiential (and experimental) component.”
Mark Williams PhD
“Art is choosing to do something skilfully, caring about the details, bringing all of yourself to make the finest work you can. It is beyond ego, vanity, self-glorification, and need for approval.”
Rick Rubin
Rather than spending your time looking for “THE Answer / System / Model / Tool / Technology”, your time and energy would be better spent seeking to understand the principles and concepts that underlie effective teaching, coaching, and training. Once you have identified those principles and concepts, ask the question ‘Where might the smallest change in my current training potentially make the biggest positive difference for the participants?’. The next step is to develop a hypothesis, which is grounded in and informed by the evidence and research, and then run a series of small experiments to test that hypothesis and determine what is going to be most effective in helping the men and women you train to learn and grow by enhancing their competence and confidence.
As Brad Schoenfeld PhD has said in numerous interviews, “You can only use research as a guideline. Research, however, will never tell you what to do, it is only going to provide general guidelines.” Use those guidelines to help you make small changes and assess and iterate as you go. This is the “art” of coaching. It is a lifelong ongoing journey it involves a commitment to continually striving to be a more effective trainer. On this journey be cautious of people who want to convince you that their way is “THE Way”.
Take care.
Brian Willis
Winning Mind Training – Providing practical training to law enforcement professionals in the areas of instructor development, Performance Enhancement Imagery, leadership and mindset.
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