The ILEETA Journal
In this Edition:
A Dispatcher’s Experience at the ILEETA Conference | Halcyon Frank
Halcyon Frank shares her journey presenting at ILEETA 2024 as a dispatcher, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of bridging the gap between civilian and sworn public safety professionals. Initially nervous about her reception, she overcame self-doubt through her passion for training and adult learning. Her experience emphasized the shared mission of public safety and the importance of collaboration across roles. Frank encourages dispatchers to attend ILEETA, sharing the empowering message: “You belong here.” Her story inspires inclusivity and excellence in public safety training.
The Emerson Room | Eddy Weiss
Eddy Weiss reflects on his transformative experience at the ILEETA Conference’s “Emerson Hour,” where six trainers shared profound insights inspired by Ralph Waldo Emerson’s question: “What has become clear to you since we last met?” This mysterious, unadvertised session captivated attendees with passionate, wisdom-filled 9-minute talks that fostered reflection, connection, and personal growth. Weiss likens the event to a powerful, soul-stirring service, highlighting its impact on participants’ mental, emotional, and professional development. The Emerson Hour exemplifies ILEETA’s mission to inspire and elevate public safety trainers.
Standards | Kevin R. Davis
Kevin R. Davis examines the complexities of law enforcement tactics and their legal implications, focusing on the disparity between academy-taught practices and real-world applications. Highlighting cases like Graham v. Connor and State v. White, Davis critiques the use of hindsight bias and mythical “national standards” in prosecutions against officers. He emphasizes the importance of constitutional standards, such as reasonableness in rapidly evolving situations, while warning against politically driven prosecutions that undermine due process. Davis advocates for practical training aligned with real-world challenges and legal protections for officers.
Dry Fire Practice That Doesn’t Suck | Todd Fletcher
Todd Fletcher highlights innovative ways to make dry fire practice more engaging and effective. He introduces tools like DryFireMag, which resets the trigger on striker-fired pistols, and virtual reality (VR) shooting simulators like AceXR, offering realistic and interactive training options. Fletcher emphasizes safety, quality over quantity, and the importance of consistent practice to improve shooting skills. By combining modern technology and creativity, Fletcher demonstrates how dry fire practice can be transformed into a fun, productive, and affordable training method for law enforcement and competitive shooters.
Qualification Isn’t Training (Again): Insights from Aviation | Tom Snelling
Tom Snelling compares law enforcement qualification to aviation checkrides, emphasizing the need for meaningful training beyond mandatory tests. Drawing on his 40+ years as a pilot, Snelling highlights the benefits of realistic, scenario-based training like LOFT (Line Oriented Flight Training) used in aviation. He proposes an 80/10/10 model for firearms training: 80% training, 10% qualification, and 10% advanced practice. Snelling underscores the importance of fundamentals, constructive feedback, and diverse drills to enhance officer proficiency. He advocates for prioritizing relevant, effective training to make qualification a seamless process for officers.
Research v Common Sense | Duane Wolfe
Duane Wolfe emphasizes the importance of evidence-based research over “common sense” in law enforcement training. Highlighting a study comparing draw times with different holsters and firearms, Wolfe demonstrates how research often disproves assumptions. He explains the need to translate lab findings into practical training, considering human factors like stress, decision-making, and environmental conditions. Wolfe urges trainers to utilize research to optimize officer performance and maximize training time, advocating for a deeper understanding of how officers learn and retain skills under pressure.
Evaluating De-escalation for Crisis Encounters | Ryan Wilfong
Ryan Wilfong explores effective methods for evaluating de-escalation in law enforcement crisis encounters. He emphasizes the need for agencies to define de-escalation clearly and for officers to articulate their use of “talk, techniques, tactics, and time variables” to achieve the best possible outcomes. Wilfong introduces a three-prong evaluation—Demonstrate, Articulate, Validate—to assess officer actions and ensure training, accountability, and competency. He highlights the importance of body-worn cameras, detailed reporting, and trained reviewers to provide objective assessments and guide future performance improvements.
The Thin Line Between Risk and Gamble: A Correctional Officer’s Guide to Use of Force Decisions | Michael Cantrell
Michael Cantrell highlights the critical distinction between calculated risks and dangerous gambles in corrections. He stresses the importance of informed decision-making based on training, experience, and protocols rather than emotion or expedience. Cantrell identifies red flags for gambling behavior, such as skipping safety protocols and acting impulsively, and provides strategies for converting gambles into calculated risks through assessment, planning, and documentation. Emphasizing scenario-based training and risk management, Cantrell advocates for professionalism and preparation to enhance safety and maintain standards in the corrections field.
The Legal Imperative of Training Drill Instructors in Police Academies: Case Law and Safety Considerations | Bret E. Brooks
Bret E. Brooks underscores the critical importance of properly training drill instructors (DIs) in police academies to mitigate legal risks, uphold constitutional standards, and ensure recruit safety. Highlighting case law such as City of Canton v. Harris and Bryan County v. Brown, Brooks emphasizes the liabilities stemming from inadequate DI training, including failure-to-train lawsuits and safety violations. He advocates for comprehensive DI training that prioritizes physical safety, mental health, and adherence to OSHA guidelines. By investing in specialized DI programs, academies can protect recruits’ rights, maintain institutional integrity, and enhance law enforcement preparedness.
Spark Audience Engagement by Asking Better Questions | Dan Fraser
Dan Fraser explores how asking thoughtful questions can captivate and engage audiences during training. He introduces techniques like turning statements into questions, using the “Pose, Pause, Pounce, Bounce” method, and encouraging peer discussions to foster critical thinking and active participation. Fraser emphasizes creating a safe learning environment where students feel rewarded for engaging, regardless of correctness, through positive reinforcement. Drawing on his law enforcement training and comedic experience, Fraser demonstrates how dynamic questioning transforms passive learning into an interactive, memorable experience.
Embracing AI: Opportunities and Challenges for Instructors | Kerry Avery, M.Ed.
Kerry Avery explores the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on instructional design in law enforcement training. Highlighting tools like ChatGPT, Avery showcases AI’s ability to streamline content creation and enhance creativity but warns against the erosion of deep expertise. She advocates using AI as a tool, not a replacement, and emphasizes investing in instructional design principles, critically evaluating AI output, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders. By balancing efficiency with integrity, Avery encourages instructors to embrace AI as a tool for innovation while safeguarding the expertise and rigor essential to effective, evidence-based training.
Old Dogs and New Tricks | Jason Der
Jason Der shares insights from his journey as a trainer, emphasizing the importance of energy, drive, and continuous growth in teaching. Drawing from a disappointing experience with a veteran instructor, Der highlights three key lessons: teach by example to inspire peers, focus on controlling the controllable by excelling in your own classroom, and remain a lifelong learner committed to both subject matter and pedagogy. Leveraging the ILEETA community, Der advocates for fostering passion, collaboration, and excellence in training to ensure all instructors stay sharp and adaptable.
Co-Teaching in Police Training: The Team Teaching Approach | Dr. Jason Mazeski
Dr. Jason Mazeski explores the concept of co-teaching, also known as team teaching, in police training. He outlines methods like team teaching, “one teach, one assist,” and “one teach, one observe,” highlighting their benefits in providing diverse perspectives, mentoring new instructors, and improving engagement. Mazeski emphasizes trust, collaboration, and flexibility as key to successful implementation. He underscores co-teaching’s versatility for lecture-based and hands-on training while cautioning agencies to ensure instructors are well-prepared to foster dynamic, learner-focused environments.
A Highly Effective Training Technique Few Are Utilizing | Andrew DeMuth Jr.
Andrew DeMuth Jr. emphasizes the transformative potential of tabletop training in law enforcement, particularly for new supervisors. This underutilized method, rooted in military strategy and widely adopted in fire services, simulates critical incidents like missing child cases to develop decision-making, procedural adherence, and resource awareness. DeMuth highlights its adaptability for seasoned leaders, agency-specific needs, and rare crises. He advocates for in-house program development to reinforce organizational values and provide immediate mentorship, underscoring that trial-by-fire methods risk costly mistakes.
Everyone Wants to Be a Trainer Until It’s Time to do Trainer Stuff | Ben Wallace
Ben Wallace explores the dedication and responsibility required to be an exceptional trainer in law enforcement. Drawing inspiration from Japanese culture and his personal journey, he emphasizes the importance of continuous growth, service, and effort in teaching. Wallace highlights tasks like lesson planning, case law review, and after-action reporting as vital yet often overlooked trainer duties. He challenges trainers to move beyond tradition, prioritize student success, and embrace training as a lifestyle, reminding them that officers “fall to the level of their trainer.”
The Science of Feedback | Staci Yutzie
Staci Yutzie explores the pivotal role of feedback in police training, emphasizing its potential to improve or hinder trainee performance. Highlighting common pitfalls—vagueness, information overload, premature intervention, and artificial praise—she advocates for specific, prioritized, and goal-directed feedback. Yutzie introduces a three-step model for effective feedback: clarify goals, assess performance, and outline next steps. By adopting research-based practices, trainers can foster meaningful learning and independence in trainees, enhancing training efficiency and outcomes.
Training for Competence and Confidence | Adam Sowden
Adam Sowden addresses a critical training gap in law enforcement: transitioning between techniques during dynamic situations. He highlights two solutions to enhance classroom training: removing the “friendly face” by using outside evaluators to reduce bias, and providing performance feedback in scenario-based training. Sowden shares insights from his agency’s innovative partnership with Middle Tennessee State University, using VR technology for crisis response training. These methods aim to build competence and confidence in new officers, preparing them to handle complex, real-world challenges effectively.
What Next? Preparing for Life After Law Enforcement | Sue Weaver
Sue Weaver discusses career transition options for retiring officers, emphasizing the importance of transferable skills and higher education. She outlines three popular pathways: teaching at police academies, launching a training or consulting business, and teaching in higher education. Weaver stresses preparation, such as earning degrees and leveraging professional networks, to ensure a smooth transition. With examples like expert witnesses and academy trainers, she highlights opportunities to align skills with meaningful second careers while maintaining financial and personal fulfillment.
Seven Essential Qualities of a Good Police Report | Christopher E. K. Pfannkuche
Christopher E. K. Pfannkuche outlines the seven essential qualities of a professional police report: factual, unbiased, comprehensive, statutory-aligned, prosecutor-focused, defense-aware, and professionally written. He emphasizes anticipating both the prosecutor’s burden of proof and potential defense strategies. Pfannkuche introduces his “AAA Template”—Accumulate, Anticipate, and Articulate—for effective report writing. By mastering these principles, officers can ensure their reports provide solid case foundations, enhancing investigative integrity and courtroom success.
Walk a Mile in Their Shoes | Adam Stanley
Adam Stanley highlights the importance of empathy in training new law enforcement officers. He shares personal experiences demonstrating how understanding a recruit’s struggles, from qualification challenges to personal stressors, can transform training outcomes. By “walking a mile in their shoes,” instructors can foster stronger relationships, prevent unnecessary failures, and instill the values of empathy and mentorship early in recruits’ careers. Stanley argues that empathetic training not only saves careers but also reinforces the noble image of law enforcement.
The Importance of Humility in Police Instruction | Richard Caito
Richard Caito emphasizes the essential role of humility in law enforcement training, highlighting its power to foster collaboration, continuous growth, and mutual respect. He underscores how humility enables instructors to admit mistakes, embrace diverse perspectives, and model lifelong learning. By leading with humility, instructors create an approachable and empathetic environment, inspiring recruits to adopt these values in their work. Caito argues that humility not only strengthens training outcomes but also elevates the integrity and professionalism of law enforcement as a whole.
Recognizing and Responding to Perceived Unusual Behavior Events | Mark Bridges
Mark Bridges examines Perceived Unusual Behavior Events (PUBs), emphasizing their critical implications for law enforcement. PUBs, marked by erratic behavior, hyperthermia, and extreme strength, can escalate rapidly, posing risks to officers and individuals. Bridges highlights the importance of clear policies, robust training, and seamless EMS collaboration to mitigate risks. He underscores the need for recognizing medical emergencies, effective communication, and thorough investigations. By prioritizing preparation and fostering public understanding, agencies can improve outcomes, reduce liability, and build trust within their communities.
Think Again by Adam Grant | Reviewed by Kim Schlau
Kim Schlau reviews Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know by Adam Grant, a compelling guide on rethinking entrenched beliefs. Schlau connects Grant’s principles—like intellectual humility, the “scientist mindset,” and psychological safety—to law enforcement, emphasizing their relevance to decision-making, community trust, and systemic reform. By fostering curiosity, adaptability, and transparency, officers can reduce unconscious bias, build public trust, and promote a culture of continuous learning. Grant’s actionable insights inspire law enforcement to embrace change, rethink practices, and drive meaningful progress.
The ILEETA Journal is a quarterly publication of the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association (ILEETA), aimed at providing a platform for criminal justice professionals, primarily law enforcement trainers, to exchange information on training-related topics. It features articles, editorials, product reviews, and columns that meet stringent criteria for relevance, factual accuracy, and readability. Submissions are required in Microsoft Word format and should adhere to specific writing styles and grammar guidelines. The Journal ensures that all articles are edited for clarity and length and does not accept content promoting products or services.
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