Building the foundation for a culture of trust -Presentation to the Joint Legislative Task Force 2016
The Basics All commissioned police officers and deputies, except WSP troopers, are mandated to receive basic training from the Criminal Justice Training Commission (the Commission also establishes training standards) Cities and counties screen and hire recruits before they attend the academy (300 jurisdictions) The academy is 5 months long (720 hrs.) We train over 540 recruits per year, 30 recruits per class, 18 classes per year (16 in Burien, 2 in Spokane) Until 2009, funding was not a problem because the PSEA held funds from cities and counties generated from a special fee added to traffic citations In 2009 that fund was swept into the general fund and we ve battled every year since just to maintain the minimum standard Currently we are 2.4 million short which will lead to 9-12 month delays getting recruits into the academy
Washington is unique and is considered a national model! Most states have a POST (Police Officer Standards and Training) Culture, philosophy and methods are left up to each local jurisdiction Some state allow recruits to enroll before they have been hired and screened
Why did we adopt the term Guardians?
Serving a higher purpose Increases self-regulation in a profession that relies on personal discretion Better matches the mission of policing in a democracy (it s not just a job, it s a calling ) Improves job satisfaction, retention
In a republic that honors the core ideals of democracy, the greatest amount of power is given to those called the Guardians. Only those with the most impeccable character are given the responsibility of protecting the democracy. -Plato
Goals of the training model
More effective learning Research about adult learning does not support the boot camp model for police training. Fear and humiliation do not build confidence. They do interfere with learning. We seek the right combination of Pete Carroll and Chesty Puller!
Better decision-making We need a training environment that supports the development of critical thinking, confident decision-making, and the ability to manage human behavior. Memorizing checklists and procedures distracts from critical observations and effective assessment of behavior
Need to instill values Instilling deeply held values is a more effective way of ensuring legal and honorable behavior on the street. Compliance based on fear of punishment is short lived, breeds resentment and is hard to monitor.
Public Trust After decades of falling crime rates, and improved tools and training, public trust and support of the police has not improved. Our recruits will be safer and more effective if they are supported by the public. Long term health and job satisfaction will improve.
Instilling cultural values
Starts with protocols Recruits are required to initiate a conversation rather than snap to attention and remain silent Orientation day focuses on teambuilding coaching rather than fear and humiliation TAC officers act as role models rather than enforcers
Scholarship emphasized and rewarded Symbols and rituals introduced Constitutions handed to each new recruit Trophy case replaced by mural of Constitution Posters about honor and nobility integrated with officer safety posters
Curriculum Highlights
Building a Guardian Mindset Behavioral and Social Science programs infused into curriculum Blue Courage - (Nobility of Policing) Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) Procedural justice principles (LEED) Bias and Perception (continuously updated) Constitutional principles emphasized
Training Warrior Skills The physical and mental stress is high Rules and code of conduct strictly upheld Defensive tactics standards tightened up, increased drills, integration with communication, de-escalation Firearms training enhanced with SIRT pistols, more integration with defensive tactics and deescalation, focus on combat shooting rather than targets
Teaching foundational principles Criminal Law Elements of crime Case law related to civil rights (Tennessee v. Gardner, Graham v. Connor) Patrol Procedures (balancing safety and civil rights) Building searches Traffic stops High risk arrests
Scenario Based Training Mock scenes are designed to test critical thinking and decision making Some scenario require no arrest, no force *physical skills tested in the gym Defensive Tactics and Firearms instructors are integrated into patrol scenario training Considered a best practice in police training, very expensive and labor intensive
It s not guardians instead of warriors We have not abandoned the warrior The officer s identity and role in the community is defined as a guardian, possessing the skills of a warrior and the ability to apply those skills when necessary to protect life. The warrior is just one dimension of the guardian.
Will it last? We are one year into a 5- year longitudinal study to measure the long-term impacts preliminary data is promising
Making it last in the state Recent high profile events have created momentum in the WA state legislature and in local jurisdictions Funding for Crisis Intervention Training Funding for the Building Public Trust Initiative (culture change program) The Blueprint Project Joint Legislative Task on Deadly Force in Community Policing Pending request for expanded Leadership Training