Over the past several years, many department training budgets have been slashed. Politicians, news media and loud special interest groups have colluded to defund law enforcement, and training has taken more than its share of the budget cuts. These same anti-law-enforcement groups also scream the loudest when officers are involved in an incident where they disagree with the outcome; then they blame the officers and departments for lack of training.

Many departments struggle to offer training that simply maintains certifications and meets minimum required state standards. Not only are budget cuts to blame, but personnel shortages are forcing many departments to run below minimum staffing levels, making it difficult to schedule officers for training. Especially hard-hit are smaller departments. When an officer is off the road for training, other officers must pick up the slack by working longer hours, taking more calls for service and working more mandatory overtime shifts.

Departments are working diligently to hire more officers, but the fact is the negative news
coverage and loud special interest groups are deterring many qualified young people from wanting to become police officers. Adding to the problem, the number of officers retiring early or resigning has skyrocketed. The result is a staggering loss of knowledge and experience. All of this has combined to form significant barriers to officers getting the training they need to be effective.

Troubling trend

Over the past decade, we have seen more prosecuting attorneys going after officers with criminal charges following use-of-force incidents and other high-risk calls. Kevin Davis, a nationally known use-of-force expert, refers to this trend as the “politics of force,” and officers are at increasing risk of being the target of an overzealous prosecutor.

Looking at recent events, there have been too many high-profile incidents that received massive media attention, forced officers to resign and placed officers in front of a judge facing criminal charges. I’ll bet these officers never thought it would happen to them. They likely fell victim to optimism bias: the belief they are less likely to experience a negative event compared to someone else. It’s a cognitive bias stemming from the mistaken belief that our chances of experiencing negative events are lower than those of our peers.

Police officers usually mock people affected by optimism bias. These are the people who leave valuables in their unlocked vehicles because “It’s always been a safe neighborhood.” When it does happen, they are shocked, since the really bad stuff only happens to other people. Officers know there are some simple things these people can do to help prevent the likelihood of being a victim, and preparation is at the top of that list. That same preparation applies to you and your career.

Training is key

If you are interested in a successful law enforcement career, staying out of trouble and making it to retirement, you must take responsibility for your own training. I’ve heard all the excuses: “If my department won’t pay for it, then it’s not important.” “Training is expensive, and I can’t afford it.” “If I pay for my own training, my department won’t bother to pay for any of my training.” There are more excuses, but I’m sure you get the idea, and you may have muttered a couple of these yourself.  

Here’s the bottom line: You’re the only person responsible for your well-being, career and family. If you do something that captures public attention but is within your department training and policy, you will be the one who will suffer the long-term consequences. If you lose your job or go to prison, your department will continue as if nothing happened. Sure, the command staff will be under some scrutiny, but in a matter of days they will fill your position with another warm body.

Too many officers aren’t interested in advanced training. I call these officers the lowest common denominators (LCDs). Those who are satisfied with minimum standard training programs are unwilling to put forth the time and effort to excel, and are satisfied with just keeping their heads down, doing the bare minimum and flying beneath the radar. We all have life priorities and interests, and seeking your own training takes time and money away from those other activities. But you chose a career that requires you to carry a weapon and repeatedly put yourself in situations where you may need to use it. You owe it to your loved ones to be a well-prepared law enforcement professional and not an LCD.

Reduce the cost

Not all training needs to cost a small fortune. There are plenty of online training opportunities available for law enforcement officers at minimal cost. Most quality online training providers cover a huge range of topics, from firearm skills to de-escalation and first aid to leadership. It’s there and ready for you when you make the time.

When it comes to physical skill training, most communities have a martial arts school located nearby. This type of training can help police officers in several ways. When you’re confident in your skills, it improves your command presence. Physical activity is also a good stress release and can help you lose those extra pounds. Martial arts are also centered around some form of human conflict. The more we’re exposed to interpersonal human conflict, the less stressful it
becomes. When we’re not as stressed about someone resisting arrest, we make better decisions.

Another option is to get involved in competitive shooting. It’s not tactical training, but it is quality trigger time that allows you to work on putting accurate rounds on target in compressed time frames. Participation in these events will improve your shooting performance. You will get used to shooting under time duress on a shot timer with people watching your performance. This isn’t combat stress, but it is stress. Learning to perform under such conditions will increase your comfort and competence with firearms.

If you’re considering attending a conference or training school on your own time and dime, many have scholarships available to help defer part or all costs. The applications for these scholarships take a little extra time, but it can save you thousands of dollars in travel and tuition expenses. Whether it’s because of the time involved in the application process, not bothering because their department denied the training request, or the idea of asking someone else for financial assistance, many officers who would be eligible for training scholarships fail to apply and never get the training benefit.

The basic job duties and responsibilities of a modern law enforcement officer are complicated and varied. On top of this, many officers have additional assignments, such as being an instructor, negotiator, SWAT officer, detective, CIT or any combination of these. True professionals seek additional training, education and development outside the minimum standard training provided by their department. You are the only person looking out for your own best interests. You are the only person responsible for you.