Down Under: Police Education at the Charles Sturt University, Australia

“Insufficient guidance and a lack of preparation”: Police academy training and the reality of police work

“…Although this contradicts much of the findings in this research, it is important to acknowledge that like other educational contexts, police academies have the potential to effectively teach and train recruits, but the narrow focus of subject content and adherence to training methods utilised, limits the capacity of police academies to develop recruits' critical thinking and problem-solving skills (Shipton, 2020). This is not to suggest that police academies in Australia should completely discontinue police academy training altogether, because there is evidence that police academy training combined with university education can effectively prepare recruits for police work (Green, 2018). For example, the New South Wales Police and Charles Sturt University in Australia has shared recruit training for over 20 years, and offers curriculum based on academic principles and applied skills, with police officers and university staff delivering half of the curriculum, but not tactical training such as use of weapons or self-defence (Green, 2018).…”

“…This is not to suggest that police academies in Australia should completely discontinue police academy training altogether, because there is evidence that police academy training combined with university education can effectively prepare recruits for police work (Green, 2018). For example, the New South Wales Police and Charles Sturt University in Australia has shared recruit training for over 20 years, and offers curriculum based on academic principles and applied skills, with police officers and university staff delivering half of the curriculum, but not tactical training such as use of weapons or self-defence (Green, 2018).…”

“…Whist it does have its supporters (see Turner, 2022) critics of roleplay training, however, argue that they are not consistent in terms of the level of imparted knowledge that recruits gain from this training approach. This is because the delivery of the curriculum is not heavily regulated in Australia or other parts of the globe, and police trainers differ in the way teaching and learning is facilitated (Green, 2018;Kleygrewe et al, 2022).…”

“…A lot of the trainers at the academy haven't been on the road for years, and don't know the current procedures, because those kinds of things always change. (Constable 14) In Australia, there are current ANZPAA national standards for police training developed in conjunction with Australian and New Zealand police organisations to establish, maintain and improve police practice standards for education and training (Green, 2018). These standards focus on education and training, police leadership, and skills development, and are supported by Police Federation Australia (a union representing the national interests of police officers and police organisations), police organisations, and higher education partners.…”

Polislerin Hayat Boyu Öğrenme Eğilimlerinin İncelenmesi

“…Yine de, bir meslek olarak polisliğin, diğer meslekler tarafından yaygın olarak benimsenen özellikleri, bazı konularda eksiklik bulunmaktadır. Bunlar özellikle yüksek öğrenim ve yaşam boyu öğrenme, kendini yönetme sistemi gibi konulardır (Green, 2018). Polis eğitimi alanında hayat boyu öğrenme yaklaşımının sağlanması, polislik mesleğini yürüten ve bu alanda bir kariyer takip eden ve meslekte güncel kalmak isteyenler için oldukça önemli bir husustur (Maple, 2009).…”