When are we going to stop inappropriately referring to law enforcement agencies as Paramilitary organizations?
When are we going to stop running law enforcement academies like military boot camp complete with shaved heads, screaming, yelling drill instructors, and physical exercise as punishment?
When are we going to understand the importance of training people for critical thinking, problem solving and decision making not just compliance?
When are we going to learn the importance of teaching recruits how to effectively communicate in day to day interactions and not just stand at attention and yell, “Yes sir.” and “No sir.”
When are we going to realize that we can have high standards, high expectations, have people work hard and develop discipline without all the screaming and yelling?
When are we going to realize that stress is not the key to effective training and that constant stress is detrimental to learning and to all aspect of wellness?
When are we going to accept that the role of a trainer is to instil discipline, and not to be a disciplinarian?
When are we going to accept that a trainer’s job is to teach, train, coach, mentor, guide and develop not to weed people out?
When are we going to understand that the role of training is to graduate competent, confident men and women who can thrive in the challenges and complexities of the law enforcement profession, and not simply to produce robots?
When are we going to embrace Training as a specialty assignment and become intentional in the screening, selection, training, mentoring and ongoing professional development of those selected and entrusted to be trainers?
When are we going to start seeing of training as an investment, and not an expense?
When are we going to make the necessary shift in mindset to best serve, train and develop the men and women of law enforcement?
When?
Take care.
Brian Willis
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