The concept was first implemented in January 1980. In contrast to a traditional program in which trainees are directed to individual lessons in a sequence dictated by the complexity and logical sequence of those lessons, the thematic modular program groups similar areas of subject matter together into complete units. Individual lessons become parts of a broader and deeper issue presented as a distinct training module. In each module, the theme is fully developed, the appropriate knowledge imparted, and confirmation by practical exercises carried out. The frequent practical exercises provide staff with a more accurate impression of each student's level of professional skill than is possible in traditional training. In addition, the students develop a high level of interpersonal skills because they have to rely on these skills during the incidents they attend and because the training avoids early references to uniforms and other aspects of authority. The modular program is also easy to implement, since it involves only restructuring the traditional program and conferences with instructors. A description of the program's background, an outline of the modules' contents and sequence, and one reference are included.