Police trainer

Police trainers train probationary, new academy recruits, or cadets, and seasoned veterans on the theory and practice necessary to become a police officer. They conduct theoretical lectures on academic subjects such as law, government regulations, community relations and human diversity. Police academy instructors also provide more hands-on, practical instruction regarding physical training, the care of firearms, first aid, self defensive tactics and vehicle operations. They also prepare and develop lesson plans and new training programmes as new law enforcement-related regulations and issues arise. The instructors monitor the students’ progress, evaluate them individually and prepare performance evaluation reports.

The following job titles also refer to police trainer:

law enforcement trainer
law enforcement instructor
instructor in law enforcement
police instructor
trainer of police
police tutor
police firearms trainer
specialist police trainer
police officer trainer
trainer of police officers

High school diploma is generally required to work as police trainer. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Police trainer is a Skill level 4 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to police trainer.

prison instructor
armed forces training and education officer
firefighter instructor
intelligence officer
adult literacy teacher

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of police trainer. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of police trainer with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of police trainer.

Law enforcement: The different organisations involved in law enforcement, as well as the laws and regulations in law enforcement procedures.
Legal use-of-force: The characteristics of the use-of-force, which is a legal doctrine employed by police and army forces, to regulate acts of violence during interventions. Use-of-force is ought to balance security needs with ethical concerns for the rights and well-being of intruders or suspects.
Road traffic laws: Understand road traffic laws and the rules of the road.

These skills are necessary for the role of police trainer.

Apply first response: Respond to medical or trauma emergencies and care for the patient in a manner compliant with health and safety regulations, assessing the legal and ethical issues of the situation, and provide proper pre-hospital care.
Guarantee students’ safety: Ensure all students falling under an instructor or other person’s supervision are safe and accounted for. Follow safety precautions in the learning situation.
Handle evidence: Handle evidence important for a case in a manner compliant with regulations, in order to not affect the state of the evidence in question and to ensure its pristine condition and usability in the case.
Observe student’s progress: Follow up on students’ learning progress and assess their achievements and needs.
Use different communication channels: Make use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.
Comply with the principles of self-defence: Observe the principles according to which a person should only use so much force as is required to repel an attack. The use of deadly force is limited to situations where attackers are using deadly force themselves.
Assess students: Evaluate the students’ (academic) progress, achievements, course knowledge and skills through assignments, tests, and examinations. Diagnose their needs and track their progress, strengths, and weaknesses. Formulate a summative statement of the goals the student achieved.
Ensure compliance with types of weapons: Use different kinds of firearms and other types of weapons and their matching ammunition, in compliance with legal requirements.
Manage major incidents: Take immediate action to respond to major incidents that affect the safety and security of individuals in private or public places such as road accidents.
Teach law enforcement principles: Instruct students in the theory and practice of law enforcement, more specifically in courses such as crime prevention, crash investigation, and firearms training, with the aim of assisting them in pursuing a future career in this field.
Identify security threats: Identify security threats during investigations, inspections, or patrols, and perform the necessary actions to minimise or neutralise the threat.
Ensure student welfare: Ensure that the needs of students in educational organisations are met, and that any learning issues are addressed, as well as potential problems outside of an educational context.
Instruct public: Give instructions to the public during situations where they behave in a manner which is not compliant with laws and regulations, or to guide them during abnormal situations.
Assist students in their learning: Support and coach students in their work, give learners practical support and encouragement.
Apply intercultural teaching strategies: Ensure that the content, methods, materials and the general learning experience is inclusive for all students and takes into account the expectations and experiences of learners from diverse cultural backgrounds. Explore individual and social stereotypes and develop cross-cultural teaching strategies.
Ensure law application: Ensure the laws are followed, and where they are broken, that the correct measures are taken to ensure compliance to the law and law enforcement.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of police trainer. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Diving operation requirements: The operational plan and the contingency plan for the diving operation, the diving equipment to be used in the diving operation, the diving signals to be used in the diving operation, the in-water decompression procedures to be used in the diving operation, and any emergency procedures that might have to be used in the diving operation.
Adult education: Instruction targeted at adult students, both in a recreational and in an academic context, for self-improvement purposes, or to better equip the students for the labour market.
Illegal substances: The forbidden substances which cannot be transported from one area to another, or carried by an individual, as well as their nature and how to handle them.
Investigation research methods: The methods and strategies used to conduct police, government intelligence or military investigation research, as well as the research regulations specific to the operation.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of police trainer. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Analyse legal evidence: Analyse evidence, such as evidence in criminal cases, legal documentation regarding a case, or other documentation that can be regarded as evidence, in order to obtain a clear image of the case and reach resolutions.
Perform underwater investigations: Perform investigative activities, searches, or rescue missions underwater by using diving equipment and complying with safety regulations.
Ensure public safety and security: Implement the relevant procedures, strategies and use the proper equipment to promote local or national security activities for the protection of data, people, institutions, and property.
Use personal protection equipment: Make use of protection equipment according to training, instruction and manuals. Inspect the equipment and use it consistently.
Examine crime scenes: Examine crime scenes upon arrival to ensure they are not tampered with, and to perform the initial assessments and analyses of what may have occurred, as well as examining the nature of the evidence present.
Control crowd: Control a crowd or riot, ensuring people do not cross to areas they are not allowed to access, monitoring the crowd’s behaviour and responding to suspicious and violent behaviour.
Conduct drug abuse tests: Conduct alcohol and drug tests according to government and company policies and procedures. Conducts random, reasonable suspicion, and post-accident testing using basic equipment.
Manage resources for educational purposes: Identify the necessary resources needed for learning purposes, such as materials in class or arranged transportation for a field trip. Apply for the corresponding budget and follow up on the orders.
Handle conflicts: Mediate in conflicts and tense situations by acting between parties, such as service users, important others like families, and institutions, striving to effect an agreement, reconciliate, and resolve problems.
Check official documents: Check an individuals’ official documentation, such as driver’s licenses and identification, to ensure compliance with legal regulations, and to identify and assess individuals.
Train animals for professional purposes: Train animals for specific activities in order to help humans carry out their professional tasks.
Write situation reports: Write reports according to specifications and regulations of an organisation on the situation which needs to be reported on, such as the status of an investigation, of intelligence gathering, or of missions and operations.
Perform classroom management: Maintain discipline and engage students during instruction.
Provide lesson materials: Ensure that the necessary materials for teaching a class, such as visual aids, are prepared, up-to-date, and present in the instruction space.

2320 – Vocational education teachers

 

 

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References

1. Police trainer – ESCO