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Making it Real Makes it a Reflex

NCJ Number
211394
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 32 Issue: 9 Dated: September 2005 Pages: 38,40,42,44,48
Author(s)
Pamela Mills-Senn
Date Published
September 2005
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This article describes teaching methods for police officers that include reality-based training (RBT), which involves any type of experiential teaching/training in which actions are performed under conditions that approximate the operational environment.
Abstract
Six rules for adult learning are "readiness" (explaining the relevance of the material in terms of the self-interest of the student); "repetition;" "satisfaction," which is closely related to a sense of achievement; "correctness," which avoids the imparting of flawed knowledge or practices; "emotion," which challenges boredom; and "recency," which involves the reinforcement of recent instruction. RBT is important in instructional methods for police trainees, because behavioral skills and knowledge acquired in a nonstressful learning environment can be diminished and distorted by reactions to stress in a real-life situation. RBT simulates real-life situations under which the knowledge and skills being taught will be applied. RBT should create real scenarios that accurately reflect situations on the street. In the course of RBT, officers should learn "combat breathing" and other stress-reducing techniques. RBT should also accompany ethical training, such that officers will have a sense of what it is like to make ethical decisions in the course of their daily duties.