The more trained personnel in the police department, the more efficient police to counter the crimes, handling the criminals as brining them to the justice system, protecting the society and maintaining the peace.
Education and training are the only two words which are widely used, and even more than any other words in almost all of the literature and writings of an academic and professional discipline. Both have somewhat similar dictionary meaning, and at times are used with overlapping description. The Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary describes education as ‘a process of teaching, training and learning, especially in schools or colleges, to improve knowledge and develop skills’ and the meaning of ‘training’ is given as ‘the process of learning the skills that you need to do a job’.
Despite glaring interconnectedness and inclusiveness of the two words, the police education and training are generally slightly differentiated. The old literature on police and policing might have used it as synonyms, but we appreciate the efforts of our recent writers who are trying to give us some concrete and independent explanation and identifying the kinds of the two basic words and concepts. Training and education differ in terms of scope and objectives; also the purpose of education is broader and more general as compared to that of training. Education is concerned with the development of the mind (of the intellect) while training deals with learning specific skills. Education is a more personal activity; training means developing skills that will be used more for social and economic reasons than for personal purposes. Education should come first, and then training should follow.
M.R. Haberfeld of Jhon Jay College has excellently described the two terms in the chapter ‘Training and Education, Conceptual Framework’ in her book, Critical Issues in Police Training, with advantages and disadvantages of the two. However, both training and education play important role in the field of law enforcement. Training provides officers with unambiguous instructions on how to perform many of the tasks that they are expected to complete. As an outcome, trained officers often respond both more consistently, using proven techniques, and more automatically, even under emergency conditions. Education, in contrast, helps prepare officers to solve problems independently as well as to communicate and interact effectively with others.
The police is a highly structured and complex organization with a variety of compulsory and optional duties and responsibilities. The various strata in the police organizational hierarchy demand a separate system of human resource management. Initial and simple ground work will need ordinary skills and a lower or medium educational level, whereas higher and complex situation will demand more comprehensive education and a specialized training. The horizontal and vertical diversification and proliferation of police department and policing responsibilities dictate a continuous, on-job or in-service education and training. The 21st century complex society and complicated nature of crimes have made the job of the police highly difficult and challenging. Birzer and Tannehil (2001) have been quoted as,
“There is an obvious need for police officers to acquire knowledge of the latest legal decisions, technological advances, and tactical developments in the field, and to remain proficient in a number of job-related skills. There is also an urgent need for police officers who are skilled communicators and decision makers, who are capable of helping citizens, identify and solve problems in their communities, and who posses effective mediation and conflict resolution skills,”
(Quoted in Wrobleski and Hess, 2006).
It is one of the reasons that many countries, like Canada and Britain and others have made a combination of both for nearly all positions. Need for further education and training is identified at various levels of police administration and service. Different and specialized courses and programs are initiated, introduced, implemented and evaluated. The public demands and satisfaction, and government commitment and policies are the external factors for enhanced education and training, in addition to the internal pressure of professional excellence, service delivery, increased monetary benefits, promotion, selection for an envious job or higher/foreign scholarship or assignment, gallantry awards, and many more departmental achievements. However, the basic conceptual framework of all such education-cum-training initiatives revolves around certain key elements:
i) Continuous motivation of the trainee, trainer, and the department;
ii) Constant updating of knowledge, skills and attitude.
iii) Identifying performance level vis-à-vis expectations or standards;
iv) Scanning the environment and situation-analysis for structural and functional
changes;
v) Well-thought Training Needs Analysis (TNA) and concomitantly, well-prepared
training programs.
vi) Conducting and evaluating training, with constant feedback loop to assess
effectiveness in terms of meeting the needs; and
vii) Reviewing, overhauling and bridging the gap between practice and theory.
The success of various teachings and training methods—like individual study, case exercises, tutorial discussions, experiential learning, field study tour, individual and group presentations, writing and presenting research paper on a specific theoretical concept or practical issue, simulation exercises, role-playing, penal discussions, demonstration, book review, conducting interview or a job rotation for a short period for a tour of duty, etc—depends on many factors like the complexity of the subject, size of class room, requisite human and financial resources, logistics, instructors’ knowledge, technical proficiency, personality, interpersonal skills and the trainees’ capacity and motivation to learn and acquire. No single program is a cent per cent success, and at times falls short of expectations due to many intrinsic and extraneous debilitating factors e.g; deficiencies in the program content (overemphasizing one element and ignoring the other), low quality of trainers, insufficient training facilities and equipments, unrealistic and inappropriate expectations and unequal blending of theoretical knowledge and practical field training and a lack of proper evaluation and feedback system. To overcome all such difficulties and irritants, an action plan is needed, which means an agreed upon, specific, and achievable plan of how personal and professional development can be addressed within a given time limit. An action plan should be SMART (British Police Training Centre, 1999) which is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timed. (Haberfeld, 2002).
Law enforcement officers must communicate clearly with members of the community. They must use proper pronunciation, good grammar and proper intonation when giving instructions they want others to follow. They must be able to write a legible report that can serve as evidence in a court of law. They must be able to communicate with other officers in the field. Knowledge of the dynamics of personality help an effective officer know how people will respond in differing situations. Psychological insight can help with a person who is threatening suicide, holding hostages or shooting people. Knowing how to use a computer for research can help detectives find information that can lead to the arrest of criminals. Evidence can be gathered quickly over the computer that can lead to a speedy trial and conviction of guilty parties. Studies in sociology can prepare the law enforcement officer in dealing with groups of people in the community. By understanding group psychology, a riot can be diffused or prevented. Dealing with the needs and belief systems of diverse groups within the community is essential to good law enforcement.
The police are persons empowered to enforce the law, protect property and reduce civil disorder.Their powers include the legitimized use of force. The term is most commonly associated with police services of a state that are authorized to exercise the police power of that state within a defined legal or territorial area of responsibility. Police forces are often defined as organizations separate from any military forces Law enforcement, however, constitutes only part of policing activity.Policing has included an array of activities in different situations, but the predominant ones are concerned with the preservation of order It takes more than desire to be a police officer. Let me explain the importance of police training. There is much training and education involved. It takes diligence, courage and perseverance. A very crucial part of the intensive training consists of physical fitness. You need to be in top physical condition in order to meet the requirements of this profession. The police school prepares recruits in all areas of training. For months recruits will be trained and prepared for duty with physical fitness training, water safety, first aid, defensive and offensive training, CPR, etc.
Officers are trained in communicating with diverse cultures and situations. It is imperative that they learn to make good and quick decisions while on the job. Many times police will be called to respond to emergency situations. They can be anything from domestic violence, accidents or any other type of emergency. Preparation is of the utmost importance.
There are also special Units on which some officers may be trained, such as Bomb Squad Unit, Aviation Unit, Mounted Police Unit, K-9 Unit, Explorer Unit and harbor Unit. The Investigations training will teach how to collect evidence when necessary. This will require extra training on the part of the officers chosen for these special units.
You will also be trained in and become familiar with Police Training Gear. The use of specialized training gear is a very important aspect of training. Training gear typically used in police schools consists of striking bags, foam or padded police batons, special training handcuffs, replica firearms. Hopefully this information will be helpful the people as pursue this very important and respectable career.
Many of us like a challenge and many of us hate being stuck in the office. At some stage in our lives, a lot of people have thought about becoming a police officer and why not, there are many advantages of being a police officer to be enjoyed and it can be a career like no other. So what are the advantages of being a police officer and why can it be such a satisfying job for those that take such a career path? Here are some of the benefits and reasons why it can be a very appealing job. Police officers get the chance to make a real difference to the lives of many people in their community. This can be very rewarding for the right kind of person and for most people really beats the nine to five and an intolerable sense of boredom.
Police officers are challenged on a daily basis and they will never be met with a sense of déjà vu whilst carrying out their responsibilities. Apart from the immense amount of job satisfaction that a member of the police force can enjoy, there are many other advantages of being a police officer. The salary is exceptionally good and the level of job security is very high as well. In such difficult economic conditions, there is no price that can be placed upon this. Since the salary will increase year on year as an officer gains more and more experience, there is also a strong sense of financial security which can help with family planning and finding a mortgage. On the subject of mortgages, police officers are entitled to subsidized mortgages as they count as key workers. This can be of great help in finding a home and especially welcome amongst younger officers who may be starting families.
There is a chance of career advancement for members of the police and also a chance to specialize. As well as the incredibly comprehensive training that all police officers are given, there is also the chance to extend this into areas such as becoming a riot police officer or moving into the traffic division. The police force is a hugely diverse and interesting organization. It is no longer just a case of local bobbies on the streets nicking the odd shoplifter; the job now encompasses so many more walks of life and people from many other backgrounds. There are many qualities that could make you a good police officer as well as many tests to take. Nonetheless, if you possess the qualities needed then you will soon be able to enjoy the advantages of being a police officer. So why not give it a go, it has to beat the boring office job!
Firearms can be dangerous if used improperly, which is why police officials must go through firearms training. A police officer must become familiar and comfortable with his weapon so that he can use it to protect himself and the public. Without the proper training, a situation involving firearms can be dangerous, even deadly. Combat situations can occur in which a police officer must draw his firearm. When a police officer is involved in a shootout, he must know how to handle his weapon in order to keep damage to a minimum and protect himself at the same time. An officer of the law is supposed to protect and serve, but he also must safeguard his own life. All police officers go to school in order to learn how to do their jobs. When an officer goes through firearm training, she goes through the basics and then learns how to use her weapon in the field. According to the New York State Division of State Police, basic school firearms training covers pistol and shotgun use as well as tactical firearms training. Officers are typically trained in groups using both stationary and mobile targets at a target range. They also are trained in situations for both night and day use of their firearm, using lighting that is bright, dim, or nonexistent. For tactical combat situations, officers are trained in different scenarios and rated on how well they analyze and handle the situation. Above all, the officer is taught how to retain his own firearm and use it to detain a suspect. Tactical firearms’ training teaches precision, which helps prevent accidental shootings and protects the officer. According to the law enforcement division of the National Rifle Association, there is one main goal: to provide every law enforcement officer in the country with the knowledge, skills and abilities to win a lethal encounter in order to try to prevent loss of life. Not ally combat situations end in a fatality. A police officer is trained to disarm a criminal, and her first goal is to try to disengage the perpetrator from the situation and create calm. If she cannot succeed in disarming a criminal, she will do what she can to protect herself and the public. Firearm training is not limited to police officers. Anyone engaged in firearm use, whether for target practice or hunting, should go through training to avoid the kinds of mistakes that can lead to tragic situations. Ideally, training should be undertaken before purchasing a firearm. The Government of Pakistan introduced the Access to Justice Program (AJP) in 2001 with $350 million financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The program has been under implementation since than and contributing to justice sector reforms. According to the Article 8(2) of Police Order 2002, training and experience are important prerequisites of postings in any specialized area. The Police Order lays stress on the police to deal with the public in friendly and humane manner and not in a brutish way. The AJP aims to create and strengthen institutional capacity to deliver access to justice and create greater awareness including in traffic safety. In line with this mission, the AJP seeks to support and strengthen the police institutions in Sindh in order to make them more effective by imparting training on core areas of capacity building and to improve the professional skills of Police Officers and men.
Police officers serve their local community by working to protect people and property against crime, detecting offenders and taking a lead in dealing with emergencies. After training, all officers begin work as uniformed constables on the beat, on foot or in a patrol car, where they are the first point of contact with the public. They must be prepared to deal with whatever comes along, from attending scenes of accidents, searching for missing people and responding to emergency calls, to making arrests, sorting out street fights, taking statements and attending large public gatherings. The work can mean being outside in all weathers, sometimes in unpleasant and potentially dangerous situations.
They are also involved in some office and court-related work, including preparing reports and taking statements, escorting prisoners and giving evidence.
Police officers must be unfailingly honest, with a mature attitude and a high level of social awareness. When on duty, you would have to stay alert and observant at all times. You should be decisive, able to remain calm in threatening situations, yet capable of reacting quickly and taking action on your own initiative. You must also be willing to accept discipline and able to work in a team. You would need courage and physical fitness to deal with incidents and disturbances, and mental strength to cope with difficult tasks such as delivering bad news to bereaved relatives. Good written communication skills are essential for recording details of incidents and arrests that may later be used in court. Good spoken communication is needed both for dealings with the public and for giving evidence in court.
Most people have heard the argument that respect for human rights is somehow opposed to effective law enforcement. And effective law enforcement means to capture the criminal. And to secure his conviction, it is necessary to “bend the rules” a little. A tendency to use overwhelming force in controlling demonstrations, physical pressure to extract information from detainees, or excessive force to secure an arrest can be observed now and then. In this way of thinking, law enforcement is a war against crime, and human rights are merely obstacles thrown in the path of the police by lawyers and NGOs.
In fact, violations of human rights by police only make the already challenging task of law enforcement more difficult. When the law enforcer becomes the lawbreaker, the result is an assault on human dignity, on the law itself and on all institutions of public authority. The effects of police human rights violations are multi-fold:
They erode public confidence
They hamper effective prosecutions in court
They isolate the police from the community
They result in the guilty avoiding sentence, and the innocent being punished
They force police agencies to be reactive, rather than preventive in their approach to crime
They bring agents and institutions of public authority into disrepute
They exacerbate civil unrest
Respect for human rights by law enforcement agencies actually enhances the effectiveness of those agencies. Where human rights are systematically respected, police officers have developed professionalism in their approaches to solving and preventing crime and maintaining public order. In this sense, respect for human rights by police is, in addition to being a moral, legal and ethical imperative, also a practical requirement for law enforcement. When the police are seen to respect, uphold and defend human rights:
Public confidence is built and community cooperation fostered
Legal prosecutions are successful in court
Police are seen as part of the community, performing a valuable social function
The fair administration of justice is served, and, consequently, confidence in the system
An example is set for respect for the law by others in the society
Police are able to be closer to the community, and, therefore, in a position to prevent and solve crimes through proactive policing
Support is elicited from the media, from the international community, and from higher authorities
A contribution is made to the peaceful resolution of conflicts and complaints
An effective police service is one that serves as the first line of defense in the protection of human rights. Its members carry out their work in a way, which does not rely upon fear and raw power but on the contrary on the regard for the law, honor, and professionalism.
The effective training of police in human rights is an essential element in the global efforts to promote and protect human rights in every country. In order to protect human rights, the police must first know and understand them. Furthermore, police officers must be familiar with the various international guidelines and bodies of principles – such as the Code of Conduct for law enforcement officials and the principles on the use of force and firearms – and be able to use them as tools in their everyday work. They must understand the fact that international human rights standards concerning their work were developed to provide invaluable guidance for the performance of their crucial functions in a democratic society.
However, police officers in the line of duty should know not only what the rules are, but also how to do their job effectively within the confines of those rules. Training efforts which do not cover those concerns will likely be neither credible nor effective.
Throughout the training sessions, it is important to emphasize that knowledge of human rights is an essential professional requirement of all personnel serving in modern law enforcement agencies. The central purpose of policing, after all, is enforcement of the law, and no law stands higher in authority than the law of human rights.
SUGGESTIONS/CONCLUSION
Examinations of specialized police training to handle youth-related incidents are typically approached with researcher-defined concepts rather than key concepts derived from the perceptions of police officers. In response to disagreements in the literature on the usefulness and applicability of training for specific law enforcement functions, this research builds on previous literature by investigating the content and perceived adequacy of specialized training received based on their duty assignment.. Definitions of training adequacy are considerably conditioned by the informal socialization process in the police culture. The data suggest that the school focus on training generalists has the effect of increasing the impact and importance of informal socialization by field training officers on officer perceptions and procedures for handling youth-related incidents.
SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVING POLICE TRAINING
The main suggestions for improving the police training in police training school/colleges are as follow that these institutions should
· provide learning opportunities for new officers that meets or exceeds the needs of both the community and the policing agency
· develop and enhance the trainee’s learning from the school within the community environment through a series of “real-life” problem-solving activities
· foster a growing independence from the police training officer over the course of the various programs in police training school to a stage where the trainee is able to work effectively while alone on patrol
· produce efficient police officer of the training program who are capable of providing customer-centered, responsible, community-focused police services
· teach transferable learning skills using a problem-based learning model that trainees can apply to problems throughout their careers
· provide consistent, fair evaluations that address not only a trainee’s skills, knowledge acquisition, and application, but also evaluates their ability to problem-solve effectively
The most commonly cited police activities are as investigation of domestic violence and other crimes, patrol procedures, responding to critical incidents, and enforcing local policies and laws. These topic areas should be summarized into four Substantive Topics
· Non-Emergency Response
· Emergency Incident Response
· Patrol Activities
· Criminal Investigations
Within each phase of training, police officers should perform activities identified as core competencies. Core competencies are the specific, value-based activities that police officers use while performing traditional police work. They should be reinforced in every call and in every problem tackled by the trainee. They should be documented in coaching and training reports and other forms of evaluation
The core competencies are:
· Police Vehicle Operations
· Conflict Resolution
· Use of Force
· Local Procedures, Policies, Laws and Organizational Philosophies
· Report Writing
· Leadership
· Problem-Solving Skills
· Community Specific Problems
· Cultural Diversity & Special Needs Groups
· Legal Authority
· Individual Rights
· Officer Safety
· Communication Skills
· Ethics
· Lifestyle Stressors/Self Awareness/Self Regulation
The Field Training Program should design to achieve the following goals:
· To produce a competent police officer capable of working a solo patrol
assignment in a safe, skillful, motivated, productive, and professional manner.
· To provide standardized training to all newly assigned probationary officers in the practical application of learned information.
· To provide clear standards for rating and evaluation which give all probationary officers every reasonable opportunity to succeed.
· To enhance the professionalism, job skills, and ethical standards of the law
enforcement community.
· To provide standardized entry-level training for the probationary officer.
· To provide remedial training in those areas where deficiencies are identified.
· To establish a rating system which is valid and job-related, utilizing a
standardized and systematic approach to the documented measurement of
probationary officers performance.
· To provide recommendations to the Chief regarding the performance and
status of probationary officers.
· To work towards continuous quality improvement.
· To identify weaknesses or areas of improvement in candidate hiring
qualifications and academy training.
Shahid Rashid
