The Convergence of Psychological Conditioning and Cognitive Readiness to Inform Training Strategies Addressing Violent Police–Public Encounters

Abstract

The purpose of this multi‐methods study was to explore police use‐of‐force (UoF) instructors' (n = 317) perceptions about cognitive readiness in the context of violent police–public encounters, to examine how experience influences those perceptions, and to identify competencies of cognitive readiness deemed essential for preparation and response to violent encounters. The results of the study suggest that UoF instructors generally feel that police officers are not adequately prepared for violent police–public encounters. Interviews were conducted with 15 UoF training experts who cited deficiencies in the range of tactics taught that prevent adequate training transfer and performance. Of the a priori cognitive‐readiness competencies assessed, the study revealed situational awareness, problem solving, adaptability, decision making, confidence, and critical thinking as the highest converging competencies. As such, these competencies were identified as essential for preparation for and response to violent encounters.

The Structure and Delivery of Police Use of Force Training: A German Case Study

“…rather than the whole programme of police development. Concerning training programmes for coping with physical conflict situations, empirical studies have begun to paint a picture of the range of skills needed to deal with such situations (Preddy et al 2019b;Rajakaruna et al 2017) and to different formats of delivery (Renden et al 2016). Yet, besides analysis of police self-defence and arrest training (Cushion 2020), there is no known holistic account of the delivery of police training.…”

“…Proposals to tackle this observed lack of transfer, regularly include improving organizational structures to provide more training time (Buttle 2007;Jager et al 2013;Renden et al 2015a); revising what is taught (Renden et al 2015a;Renden et al 2016) and how it is taught (Cushion 2020; Nota and Huhta 2019;Staller and Zaiser 2015). Research so far has mostly investigated the structure and delivery of police training by interviewing trainee officers (Buttle 2007;Rajakaruna et al 2017) and trainers (Körner et al 2019;Preddy et al 2019b Abraham et al 2015) did Cushion (2020) provide empirical evidence about the actual delivery of police training. Using a case study approach and employing participant observation, interviews and time-on-task analysis, Cushion participated and observed three, two-day courses of officers' safety training in the UK.…”

“It has Changed, Quite Clearly.” Exploring Perceptions of German Police Trainers on Police Recruits

“…Similar to the international situation (Basham, 2014;Cushion, 2020;Preddy et al, 2020), the research on German police training using the perspective of pedagogical issues is still in its infancy (Koerner, 2021;Staller, 2021). Methodologically, for the purpose of exploring and mapping presumably important issues of a given field of interest, qualitative research has proven functionality (Flick, 2018), delivering insights form subjective perspectives and interpretations.…”

“…For the case study, two preliminary guiding assumptions were made: First, as an institutionalized teaching and learning setting, police training is of pedagogical relevance (Cushion, 2020). Second, within this setting and its function, the role and views of trainers form the basis for the exploration of this specific field of interest (Preddy et al, 2020).…”

“…Staller, et al (2021a) investigated sources and types of knowledge of 163 police trainers from Germany and Austria, identifying a perceived need for pedagogical knowledge and a preference for nonformal and informal sources of knowledge acquisition. For the United States, Preddy et al (2020) have examined the views of 317 police trainers on cognitive readiness in the context of violent policecitizen interactions. Data indicate a perceived lack between the capabilities and operational demands of the officers during violent encounters.…”