Abstract
Purpose
The present paper describes the theoretical basis for a brief decision-making training program for frontline police officers as well as an outline of the training program, officers’ evaluation of perceived relevance and perceived learning effects.
Design
A between group design was used in order to test for differences in evaluation between officers at different training levels.
Results
High scores were obtained on all four items related to the evaluation (>84% scored in the highest category). When separating the subjects into groups based on their previous training (regular police response personnel vs. SWAT-type personnel), regular police response personnel obtained higher scores on perceived learning. However, both groups showed high scores on perceived learning. Both groups scored high on their evaluation of perceived relevance of the training program and no difference was found between the two groups.
Practical implications
The brief decision making training program that expands ordinary tactical training was highly appreciated by police officers and was seen as complementary to ordinary training.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
Birzer L (2002) The theory of andragogy applied to police training. Polic Int J Police Strateg Manag 26(1):29–42. doi:10.1108/13639510310460288
Birzer ML, Tannehill R (2001) A more effective training approach for contemporary policing. Police Q 4(2):233–252. doi:10.1177/109861101129197815
Chauvin C, Clostermann J-P, Hoc J-M (2009) Impact of training programs on decision-making and situation awareness of trainee watch officers. Saf Sci 47:1222–1231. doi:10.1518/155534308X284345
Endsley MR (1995) Toward a theory of situation awareness in dynamic systems. Hum Factors 37(1):32–64. doi:10.1518/001872095779049543
Entin EE, Serfaty D (1999) Adaptive team coordination. Human Factors 41:312
Espevik R, Johnsen BH, Eid J, Thayer J (2006) Shared mental models and operational effectiveness; Effects on performance and team processes in a submarine attack team. Mil Psychol 18(Suppl):S23–S36. doi:10.1207/s15327876mp1803s_3
Espevik R, Johnsen BH, Eid J (2011a) Communication and performance in co-located and distributed teams: an issue of shared mental models of team members? Mil Psychol 23(6):616–638. doi:10.1080/08995605.2011.616792
Espevik RE, Johnsen BH, Eid J (2011b) Outcomes of shared mental models of team members in cross training and high intensity simulations. J Cogn Eng Decis Mak 5(4):352–377. doi:10.1177/1555343411424695
Flin R, O’Connor P, Crichton M (2008) Safety at the sharp end. A guide to non-technical skills. Ashgate
Goldsmith AJ (2010) Policing’s new visibility. Br J Criminol 50(5):914–934. doi:10.1093/bjc/azq033
Kirkpatrick DL (1976) Evaluation. In: Craig RL (ed) Training and development handbook. McGraw-Hill, New York, pp 301–319
Mathieu JE, Rapp TL, Maynard MT, Magos PM (2009) Interactive effects of team and task mental models as related to air traffic controllers collective efficiency and effectiveness. Hum Perform 23(1):22–40. doi:10.1080/08959280903400150
Politidirektoratet (2013). Kompetanseheving innsatspersonell – Prosjektutredning (Public Report). Retrieved from https://www.politi.no/vedlegg/rapport/Vedlegg_2324.pdf
Ross KG, Lussier JW, Klein G (2005) From the recognition primed decision model to training. In: Haberstroh T, Betch S (eds) The routines of decision-making. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Publishers, Mahwah, pp 327–341
Ross KG, Shafer JL, Klein G (2006) Professional judgements and «naturalistic decision-making». In: Ericsson KA, Charness N, Feltovich PJ, Hoffman RR (eds) The Cambridge handbook of expertice and expert performance. Cambridge University Press, New York, pp 403–419
Rouse WB, Morris NM (1986) On looking into the black box: prospects and limits in the search for mental models. Psychol Bull 100(3):349–363. doi:10.1037/0033-2909.100.3.349
Salas E, Sims DE, Burke CS (2005) Is there a “big five” in teamwork? Small Group Res 36(5):555–599. doi:10.1177/1046496405277134
Salas E, Wilson KA, Burke CS, Wightman DC (2006) Does crew resource management training work? An update, an extension, and some critical needs. Hum Factors J Hum Factors Ergon Soc 48(2):392–412
Salmon P, Stanton N, Walker G, Green D (2006) Situation awareness measurement: a review of applicability for C4i environments. Appl Ergon 37(2):225–238. doi:10.1016/j.apergo.2005.02.001
Saus E-R, Johnsen BH, Eid J, Riisem PK, Andersen R, Thayer JF (2006) The effect of brief situational awareness training in a police shooting simulator: an experimental study. Military Psychology 18(Suppl):S3–S21. doi:10.1207/s15327876mp1803s_2
Saus E-R, Johnsen BH, Eid J (2010) Perceived learning outcome: the relationship between experience, realism, and situation awareness during simulator training. Int Marit Health 61(4):258–264. Retrieved from http://czasopisma.viamedica.pl/imh/issue/view/2374
Saus E-R, Johnsen BH, Eid J, Thayer JF (2012) Who benefits from simulator training: personality and heart rate variability in relation to situation awareness during navigation training. Comput Hum Behav 28(4):1262–1268. doi:10.1016/j.chb.2012.02.009
Sneddon A, Mearns K, Flin R (2006) Situation awareness and safety in offshore drill crews. Cogn Tech Work 8(4):255–267. doi:10.1007/s10111-006-0040-1
Acknowledgements
This paper was financed by The Norwegian Police Directorate. We thank the officers of Hordaland Police District for their cooperation in collecting the data.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Johnsen, B.H., Espevik, R., Saus, E.R. et al. Note on a Training Program for Brief Decision Making for Frontline Police Officers. J Police Crim Psych 31, 182–188 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11896-015-9180-7
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11896-015-9180-7