This article is based on research conducted as a part of the CA POST Command College. It is a futures study of a particular emerging issue of relevance to law enforcement. Its purpose is not to predict the future; rather, to project a variety of possible scenarios useful for planning and action in anticipation of the emerging landscape facing policing organizations.
The article was created using the futures forecasting process of Command College and its outcomes. Managing the future means influencing it — creating, constraining and adapting to emerging trends and events in a way that optimizes the opportunities and minimizes the threats of relevance to the profession.
By Acting Captain Joe Vigil
As police training moves into artificial intelligence and on-demand instruction, how will that influence services to the community in the next decade?
In the modern age of law enforcement, police officers do more than ever. At any given time, officers are called to be warriors, protectors, friends, rescuers and even social workers. As the demand increases for policing, law enforcement is experiencing reduced numbers responding to recruiting efforts and being hired, even as agencies and executives work to enhance their organizations’ capabilities.
One area that can have an immediate impact on the policing industry is training.
Police academies and many police agencies currently use web-based programs such as use of force simulators, firearms training simulators and driving simulators. The natural progression of police training suggests a role for a training platform that is accessible by smart devices and integrates AI to challenge and test users. The California Commission on Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) and companies like The Briefing Room [2] and others offer videos with quizzes and discussions to augment training. As training evolves, its next evolution is a platform that is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week and offers interactive training in a variety of areas.
Developing the training platform
As technology evolves, policing could similarly evolve training to exist through a portal that lives online, like many other training programs. Such a training platform would openly accept new styles of training that could advance our professional abilities. POST has an online training dashboard that is limited in what it offers. The development of a cloud-based training platform would provide a means of delivering training to anyone at any time.
This would exist online with a library of topics. Users could access it directly through desktop computers, mobile devices and in-car mobile data computers. As with much of the newer cloud-based technology, an app would also enable users to log in and train. This app-based program would be region- and state-specific for mandated training and legal updates, and be a clearinghouse and reference in the field.
Training could occur in patrol briefings through an internet connection, in the car over a mobile data computer, and even on a department-issued tablet or cell phone. The platform would be interactive and could overlay existing hands-on and classroom training, incorporating modern-day simulation systems. This same platform would track officers’ progress and notify training personnel and supervisors of how they’re doing, areas of concern and areas of progress. The training platform could incorporate an AI segment that makes scenario or testing methods interactive and have interactive conversations, requiring reasoning and thought, as the officer works their way through.
This is inherently different from the current ways of training because of the accessibility and functionality of asynchronous online platforms. One issue we have in training now is that outside state- and agency-mandated training, all other training is independent of the individual agency. There are agencies that stick with POST-certifying classes and training to ensure compliance, but there are agencies that use technology to do more. The Rohnert Park Police Department in California is currently seeking POST approval to certify their firearms simulator to certify officers in shooting. A cloud-based training program could train entire regions, municipalities and even states in the same areas and ensure consistency. Regional and state training entities could share standard operating procedures and push out legal updates and changes in day-to-day processes.
Unlike many of the training platforms used now, it could contain historical data and information that could be referenced by officers on their way to, during or after calls. The reference perspective alone should guarantee law enforcement personnel will provide higher levels of service that are consistent with region and state best practices. Through referencing officers can engage higher and faster levels of thought and respond faster and more easily.
Best practices to create a new training platform
The author convened a panel of experts to study online training for police and make recommendations for an online future. Two panels were used. The first consisted of professionals of a wide variety of backgrounds and ages and discussed the important trends and events surrounding increased police response through training. The second consisted of several individuals in the policing profession who had a wide range of expertise in different areas and were assigned to training divisions in different capacities. Their focus was to take the information from the first group, prioritize their findings and apply them to police training.
Both groups quickly and clearly identified the importance and need for continued police training. Police training should be in areas applicable to what officers see on a day-to-day basis. Training should enhance officers’ skills and ensure they are confident in what they learn. An emerging trend both groups discussed was the need for training in areas around communication and compassion.
Among the panels’ insights was that commitment to a training program such as this would require multiple agencies, even at the state level, to get involved early in development and implementation. In California, POST or a large agency with technology, training and funding seems like the best fit to operate this kind of training platform. Partnering with a technology company and securing grant funding seems like the most comprehensive way to move this endeavor forward. Cohesion could be reached through information sharing on standards, best practices and uplifting agencies with limited funds and accessibility to training. With the addition of a technological component, the youth of the industry could be involved from the inception. At the end of development and rollout, the program would have the potential to be greatly supported and used immediately. Measurable results could be monitored from the onset, with use tracked and recorded.
Conclusion
Training is more important now for law enforcement than it has ever been. Having an advanced platform that is accessible and regional would have nothing but benefits. Giving officers more tools to train in areas they are interested in and helping them develop their skills in areas they are lacking would undoubtedly improve police recruiting efforts and community satisfaction. It is not outside the realm of possibilities to think a larger police agency or state-level training entity could begin developing a platform to be implemented in the next few years. The basic structure exists on a smaller scale, but incorporating AI and expanding it would be beneficial to all.
Immediate training enables officers to access information within seconds from the field, the station and anywhere else a call takes them. More important, this could be used to bolster numbers and secure longevity in existing personnel by investing in them and their future. An accessible training platform would provide officers with refreshed skills, updated law and policy changes, and investment in careers. This could change police response and result in greater satisfaction for citizens and officers. Officers would have the tools at their fingertips to answer any questions and stay up to date on law changes and procedures.
About the author
Joe Vigil is currently serving as the Acting Captain for the City of Antioch in California. He has over 20 years of service and experience in operations and administration. After completing his master’s degree studies, he wanted to further his education and believed Command College was the next progression in meeting his educational goal. His most recent writing focuses on the future of education in law enforcement and its evolution into the future. Joe is an experienced administrator who believes continuing education is as important as any other aspect of the profession. As a mentor, instructor, and administrator, he recognizes the importance of evolving training to meet modern-day demands. The future of police training should embrace technology and engage officers’ interests. In his spare time, Joe enjoys reading, cycling, spending time with family and friends, and his newfound love for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.