Effects of reflex-based self-defence training on police performance in simulated high-pressure arrest situations

Abstract

We investigated the effects of reflex-based self-defence training on police performance in simulated high-pressure arrest situations. Police officers received this training as well as a regular police arrest and self-defence skills training (control training) in a crossover design. Officers' performance was tested on several variables in six reality-based scenarios before and after each training intervention. Results showed improved performance after the reflex-based training, while there was no such effect of the regular police training. Improved performance could be attributed to better communication, situational awareness (scanning area, alertness), assertiveness, resolution, proportionality, control and converting primary responses into tactical movements. As officers trained complete violent situations (and not just physical skills), they learned to use their actions before physical contact for de-escalation but also for anticipation on possible attacks. Furthermore, they learned to respond against attacks with skills based on their primary reflexes. The results of this study seem to suggest that reflex-based self-defence training better prepares officers for performing in high-pressure arrest situations than the current form of police arrest and self-defence skills training.Practitioner Summary: Police officers' performance in high-pressure arrest situations improved after a reflex-based self-defence training, while there was no such effect of a regular police training. As officers learned to anticipate on possible attacks and to respond with skills based on their primary reflexes, they were better able to perform effectively.

Training for the job: evaluation of a self-defence training programme for correctional officers

“…Proportionality/subsidiarity and resolution seem to improve particularly for skills that require physical contact to hold off the prisoner, such as fending off a hold or grab and striking/punching and kicking. In accordance with this finding, Renden et al (2017) reported improvement in resolution and proportionality of police officers' actions after reflex-based training, indicating that training in primary responses is an important aspect in skills that require physical contact. In contrast, for skills with the aim to avoid contact (e.g.…”

“…By stressing representativeness in the test scenarios (test environment), we could determine that training (learning environment) is not yet fully representative for the eventual performance environment (criterion environment; K€ orner . In developing our test sessions and assessment protocol, we borrowed from the methodology of Renden et al (2017) to test self-defence skills of police officers, and we used focus groups with expert instructors to determine which self-defence skills are needed in the work of correctional officers. In this way, we were able to identify the relevant personal, task, and environmental constraints on duty (Davids et al, 2006;Pinder et al, 2011) and develop a representative test protocol to test the relevant practical skills and competencies of correctional officers.…”

“…Studies have found that the lack of representative contexts in training limited the ability to apply skills in both similar and different contexts (e.g. Broadbent et al, 2015;Pinder, Headrick, and Oudejans, 2015;Renden, Savelsbergh, and Oudejans, 2017).…”

“…To date, the training of work-related tasks in reality-based contexts has mainly been investigated with police officers (e.g. Oudejans, 2008;Nieuwenhuys and Oudejans, 2011;Renden et al, 2017). Research into the training of work-related tasks and its transfer to reality-based contexts with correctional officers is limited.…”

Evaluation of the police operational tactical procedures for reducing officer injuries resulting from physical interventions in problematic arrests. The case of the Municipal Police of Cádiz (Spain)

“…Police training based on reflex-based self-defense mechanisms for acting in high-pressure arrest situations has been recently found to improve ASDS [10]. The operational procedures examined in this work may be similarly efficient for this purpose [3].…”