Page 13 - Top Cover Issue 7

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Playing to our strengths: A challenge to current methods of firearms training in training or on operations and it is something that firearms
instructors have been trying to develop in their students for
decades, without, perhaps, putting a name to it or recognising
it in this way. However, I believe that this is the way forward in
Armed policing in the UK is, once more, at a crossroads and we good for the public in the UK. However, let us not be complacent; realise it. This ability of AFOs and instructors to produce firearms training.
face some severe and, in my opinion, unfair challenges that are a because we can do even better and I would like to suggest a innovative results to set problems has been recognised in
reflection of the current relationship between the government, possible option for our collective improvement. the research into knowledge transfer by Sabrina Poma and Like me, you will, undoubtedly, have read articles by and
the media and ourselves. Let’s face it, we are not popular at the As a long serving trainer and former AFO, I have been through Chris Beighton of Canterbury Christ Church University, whilst listened to people like Dave Blocksidge and Dr. Bill Lewinsky and
moment and we are faced with some powerful adversaries. a lot of training cycles and a number of different changes of working with the NFIC students . Add to this the record of AFOs recognised the value of their contribution to the emerging field
However (says the voice of experience), be of stout heart and do emphasis in the ways in which we train and in the content of that up and down the country over a number of years and you of study that is the police use of firearms. The analysis of actions
not despair. The heat will die down, once rationality enters the training. Although there has, unquestionably been significant realise that we do this stuff well, we just don’t identify what we and the reasons behind those actions are intrinsically tied into
debate, and after the soul-searching, angst and hard work has improvement, the one thing that is, in my opinion, lacking, is the are doing and publicise the fact. We are an industry leader in the mental processes of the individual and, this is the enigma,
been completed, the balance will eventually be restored. When encouragement and requirement for trainees to demonstrate using judgment in spite of and not because of the way we train! we are all different but we all have the capacity to exercise the
it is, the picture will be different and we will have to adapt to the the quality of their thought process. This is the controversial bit; so by way of explanation, let me expert “blink” assessment and the reaction and movement time
changes, which we will because we are good at being flexible Now, I know that some of you will already be objecting to this say that this is in no way intended to be an attack on those who covered by Dave in a recent article for Top Cover .
and innovative. and saying that you do this all the time in training and the have worked long and hard to develop the current curriculum When I argue for a change in the curriculum to a more
Let us recognise that what we are doing every day, on ranges, in operational results prove this. I do not disagree and know that and the fact that this exists is a great credit to the College of cognitively based emphasis, I do not ignore the affective and
classrooms, in planning meetings and, most of all, on operations excellent work is undertaken every day in this regard but where Policing (NPIA) and the way they have been supported by AFOs psycho-motor domains. Both are critical to the development of
across the UK, is of a standard that will stand scrutiny anywhere is this reflected in our curriculum? You may point to the NDM and the ACPO Secretariat. However, as an Association, if we a rounded (and expert) AFO and to examine these areas in the
in the world. We are audited by a professional body, required and argue that this is the way we train to make decisions and do not challenge the status quo as critical friends, we run the light of recent criticism of the police would do us no harm. To
to follow authorised professional practice and regulated by a this forms the basis for our judgment but I would suggest to you risk of just being reactive to crises rather than proactive agents exemplify why this should not be a cause for concern, consider
licensing process. We have operationally experienced trainers that this is a tool to rationalise and structure thought processes of valuable change. It is not the role of the PFOA to act as a the work undertaken by AFO groups to understand and find
who have both vocational and academic qualifications and either in a planning stage or in retrospect. No principal officer I firearms officers’ union but one of its attributes is to allow us the ways of dealing with citizens who are presenting a danger
skilled operators who are trained and assessed on a regular have spoken to or listened to has identified this (very useful) tool intellectual space to discuss and debate these issues. because of a mental health issue. This shows that we regularly
and frequent basis. All our essential equipment is tested and as occurring to him or her at the time they were under severe We need a curriculum but a curriculum is just a structure re-examine our practice to good effect, recognising the humane
approved by a government department and, when we perform operational stress. upon which to build creative and innovative training that imperatives of society. But this does not mean that we should
the ultimate function of our professional skill-set (discharge So, I suggest that we need to support the NDM process by does not just examine basic competence but which leads to ignore the practices of regular, challenging range and tactics
a weapon in operational circumstances), we have processes recognising that it has its place but is not universally applicable. deep understanding and the provision of adaptable tactical practice. Such practice and drills improve competence and
in place that seek to ensure a transparent support to the This is a scary thought because in order for us to show that we can principles. confidence with weapons, giving us the mental space to think
investigative process. What other body in any other profession do better, what the “bosses” need is for us to provide them, on I believe that the current curriculum restricts the abilities of through problems quickly, without having to consider aspects
can say the same? So, I submit to you that we have developed a regular and frequent basis, with data evidence that convinces instructors to produce training that does not involve a constant of weapon-handling or tactical positioning because they have
a robust system that strives for professional excellence and is programme of checking and assessing competencies that tick become second-nature. Demonstrating to the IPCC and others,
them and which they will confidently support in public without who sit in either formal or informal judgment upon us, that
fear of any consequences. In other words, they need to be safe in boxes against role profiles and provide comfort for those who we are training officers to think and act flexibly to adapt to
the knowledge that the evidence they produce to the public has may have to quantify what skills can be evidenced, in a type developing situations and show that this is based on academic
sound independent academic underpinning which has been of organisational hand-washing exercise. This may be an unfair and scientific research can only do us good. At the very least, it
tested and has the credibility of appropriate expert scrutiny. appraisal but taking the heat out of competency-based training will demonstrate our bona fides.
The quantitative data in the form of the Home Office statistics for and assessment and allowing trainers the opportunity to I am researching the origins, development and training of
the deployment and discharge of police firearms is exceptionally exercise their skills and deliver training that challenges officers judgment exercised by firearms officers not because I think
persuasive. The last published figures show that out of over to think and prepare could not only meet the demands of the there is a problem but because they rank with people like
12,000 firearms deployments only 2 resulted in fatal police curriculum but give it substance beyond its current form. fighter pilots, astronauts and formula one drivers, in their ability
shootings and we all know that fatal shootings are not arbitrary, Moving away from product models of teaching and developing to assess risk and counter it in an instant. This is an ability that
so this is a record that stands global scrutiny. The searching, ways of allowing a more thoughtful application of tactics, is recognised even by our critics, but it is also a strength that is
painful and prolonged enquiry into the Duggan shooting saw through principles rather than prescription, would go a long capable of being developed further through problem-focussed
a courageous jury vindicate the actions of our MPS colleagues way towards preparing AFOs for the mental challenge of training that concentrates on achieving results rather than
and the raw courage displayed by the AFOs who confronted the resolving tactical problems during operations. This would replicating tactical patterns.
murderers of the late Lee Rigby are examples to be laid at the involve embracing the expertise of AFOs and giving them some
feet of our critics. However, this is, regrettably, not enough as we freedom of action (within the limits of safe tactical principles) If you disagree with me, ask yourself, “How many jobs have I
all know that you are only as good as your last job and we are all but would remove the danger of restricting their actions and been on where everything has gone according to plan?” If the
judged by the latest headline. thoughts to “tactical boxes”, from which they felt reluctant to answer is a high percentage,
There is an expectation by those who enquire into our actions emerge. you are lucky and I hope
it stays that way for you.
and of those who sit in judgment that we are people who The trainers amongst you will recognise a “gestalt” moment If it is lower than 50% ask
make legal, logical, rational, well-balanced decisions based when you experience it and I had one recently when I read a yourself, “How many of those
on available information and the prevailing threat. That is not book called “Blink” by Malcolm Gladwell. Whilst it is full of ideas jobs have been successful
an unreasonable expectation of law enforcement officials in a that are disputable, I recommend it as a good read and a book because we adapted to the
democratic society, provided they have received the relevant that provokes ideas. What it did for me was to make me think situation and made things
training and have the time to indulge in that process. However, about the concept of judgment in a different way and I think work?”
most police involved shootings compel officers to make rapid that one of Gladwell’s ideas is worthy of further exploration and
decisions in less than perfect circumstances and I would development in our field. Without going into it in fine detail Like I said, we are good at
speculate that an examination of training records would not (for that – read the book!), Gladwell identifies that experts can these things and we should
indicate any substantial emphasis on identifying and developing sum up situations very rapidly (in the blink of an eye) but then play to our strengths.
cognitive processes beyond shoot / no shoot and justification struggle to explain how they do it.
scenarios. So, the point I ask you to consider is that “judgment” This is something that Dave Blocksidge has touched upon
is the most important element we attribute to AFOs and yet it is in some of his excellent articles for this publication and it is, I
the least talked about, the least considered and the least trained. suggest, something that most AFOs have experienced either WRITTEN BY VINCE LEONARD
This is a pity as we are, actually, good at this, even if we don’t