Trainer's Bullpen

In this interview, Dr. Jonathan Wender from POLIS Solutions talk to the Trainer’s

In this interview Dr Paula Di Nota from the University of Toronto discusses the findings and training implications of her research review ‘Complex Motor Learning and Police Training: Applied, Cognitive, and Clinical Perspectives’ (Frontiers in Psychology; 2019). The purpose of the review was to explore pedagogical best practices to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge of human performance and best practices to consider for training complex motor skills. Ten vital aspects of the components of effective training are discussed such as the role of pressure in training, physiological and emotional regulation, performance enhancement imagery, and the importance of error in training among others.

Watch the interview video here: https://www.trainersbullpen.ca 

In this interview,  human performance expert Dr Rob Gray from Arizona State University and author of ‘How We Learn to Move’ and ‘Learning to Optimize Movement’ discusses the important findings of the research paper ‘Police Training Revisited – Meeting the Demands of Conflict Training in Police with an Alternative Pedagogical Approach’ (Policing; December 2020). While operational police actions place high demands on police officers, and training should be providing the skills necessary to meet those demands, the research shows there is a significant problem. The problem is evidenced by a large gap between the current training methodology and the lack of retention and transfer of skills. A serious ‘call to action’ for the reimagination of police training is discussed along with the introduction of the ‘Constraints Led Approach’ to motor skills training which holds great promise for improving police training.

Watch the video interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FeIAmufO8k&t=1s 

In this interview Dr Simon Baldwin from Carleton University walks us through the fascinating research study ‘A Reasonable Officer: Examining the Relationships Among Stress, Training, and Performance in a Highly Realistic Lethal Force Scenario’ (Frontiers in Psychology; January 2022). Dr Baldwin presents the findings and importantly, he addresses the critical implications for training to help build law enforcement officers who can make excellent decisions in rapidly unfolding, high consequence events. Have you paper and pen handy. There are a lot of incredible insights for trainers in this interview!

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fOUWw0aBpyg&feature=youtu.be

In this interview experts in behavior analysis, police psychology, ergonomics and exercise science Dr’s John and Dawn O’Neill discuss the results of their important study ‘Police Academy Training, Performance and Learning’. The study involved an empirical analyses of training at 3 large regional police academies in the United States during the motor training of simple and complex defensive and control tactics skills. The study included an analysis of block training versus spaced training on retention and transfer of skills. Types of instructional feedback methods are also discussed. The author’s provide recommendations and a call for research based on the performance and learning literature, grounded in behavioral science.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywYN9vsmOG0&feature=youtu.be

In this interview human performance expert Dr Rob Gray from Arizona State University and author of ‘How We Learn to Move’ and ‘Learning to Optimize Movement’ discusses the important differences between ‘linear’ (technique based) and ‘non-linear’ (ecological) motor skill training. Dr Gray helps us interpret the findings of a fascinating recent research project that explored the different performance outcomes in police knife defense training that utilized both linear and non-linear training methods. Implications for law enforcement training is discussed.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doU-pE74FfY&feature=youtu.be

In this interview about motor learning principles, Dr Tim Lee (McMaster University; Department of Kinesiology) discusses an important article he wrote for The Tactical Edge magazine in the Summer 2022 Edition, in which Lee outlined several critical factors that law enforcement trainers should consider when designing and implementing motor skills training. Implementing these important aspects into training has been proven through repeated studies across multiple domains to enhance both retention and transfer of motor skills.