Police department and instructor perspectives on pre‐service firearm and deadly force training

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine perceptions of police departments and instructors regarding academy‐based pre‐service firearm and deadly force training.

Design/methodology/approach

Surveys of department‐based instructors (n=175) and state and local police departments (n=116) in Washington State provided ratings and other data on pre‐service academy training and included department‐based training provided before and/or after attending the academy.

Findings

The paper found academy graduates' skills generally were rated as adequate. Ratings for tactics and decision making were lower, and many departments noted that these areas needed more attention. Some departments also provided extensive post‐academy training before allowing their new officers to work armed. Nevertheless, many departments used BLEA's handgun qualification course‐of‐fire for in‐service requalification and, in some cases, training.

Research limitations

The research setting was one state and the study focused on firearm and deadly force training.

Practical limitations/implications

The paper shows pre‐service firearm and deadly force training is crucial for officer and public safety at the outset of officers' employment. It also lays the foundation for department in‐service training. Because departments exercise considerable latitude over the content, techniques and instructional methods of their own programs, the nature and extent of academy training has implications for officers' skills and abilities in the long term, too.

Originality/value

This paper shows prior research has concentrated on the perceptions of academy graduates and the full spectrum job tasks associated with policing and/or taking their certification examinations. It provides detailed insights into a specific training job‐task area, as well as from important stakeholders such as departments and their instructors, not previously available.

Citation

Morrison, G.B. (2006), "Police department and instructor perspectives on pre‐service firearm and deadly force training", Policing: An International Journal, Vol. 29 No. 2, pp. 226-245. https://doi.org/10.1108/13639510610667646