“Sharpen the saw”—this is the final habit offered by Steven Covey, in his book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.
Think about it: Once the edge is lost, work becomes more difficult, takes longer and the potential for injury is increased. To sharpen the saw, you must stop the primary task. But in so doing, you’ll get the job done with less effort, in less time and with minimal chance of injury caused by an unexpected bucking of the saw blade.
Training works the same way. Although training sometimes involves learning a new skill, it often serves to sharpen your understanding of basic skills and principles—making you more effective and decreasing your risk of injury or death. It refocuses and sharpens essential skills while providing an opportunity to learn from others.
Reinforcing Key Concepts
In January, I attended a three-day Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) symposium that began with the tenets of Below 100, Law Officer’s initiative to drive down LODDs to less than 100 per year. The training was presented by Brian Willis and John Bostain—two of the finest trainers in North America.
Later, I had the opportunity to talk with one of the 150 officers in attendance, Investigator Chester Dasalla from the State of Hawaii Criminal Investigation Detail, about the training session. Dasalla said he found the training valuable because it renewed basic principles that he understood, but needed to have reinforced. Dasalla gave several examples, but the one most meaningful to me had to do with wearing body armor.
Due to his assignment, Dasalla works in plain clothes and is frequently involved in rolling surveillance operations. He admittedly doesn’t wear his body armor “unless it looks like it will be needed,” and sometimes his team gets close to a target and things just happen that require immediate engagement due to the circumstances. When this occurs, there’s no time to don the body armor and anyone not already wearing their vest is in jeopardy. Dasalla said the Below100 training made him rethink the armor issue and the Below 100 tenets of What’s Important Now and Remember: Complacency Kills were particularly beneficial because of his ever-changing work environment.
Training Solutions
Regrettably, training has taken a hard hit due to unprecedented economic challenges. Time and again, I hear about training programs being reduced or eliminated altogether. This is like working with a dull saw—it’s ineffective and potentially dangerous. Officer safety, driving and weapons handling are perishable skills. When they’re not maintained, they take on the aspects of an unsharpened saw. Refining primary skills means the job will get done in a timelier manner with greater effectiveness and safety. So when making funding decisions, it’s essential to think long term and seek out free and cost-effective training opportunities.
Last month, Law Officer partnered with the National Shooting and Sports Foundation to present free training at the Shooter Hunter Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show in Las Vegas. We had well over 2,000 registrations and many officers said they were able to attend SHOT because of the free training. (Make plans now so you can attend next year at www.SHOTShow.org/LEEP.)
It’s easy to complain about a lack of funding and shortsighted administrators when it comes to training opportunities, but that’s not productive. Here are some suggestions:
1) Regular roll-call training assignments of 7.5 minutes provide 25 hours of training per year—not to mention the skills acquired by the training officer.
2) Look for no-cost training. Thousands have received Below 100 training—and it’s free. FLETC, LEOKA and similar groups provide free training, often bringing it to you. Our friend Sgt. Charles E. Humes Jr. recently provided combative tactics training, for free, in Toledo, Ohio. Make it happen!
3) Bring in community members with specific expertise.
4) Practice responses during slow times.
5) Partner with other agencies to share trainers with different skills.
The Bottom Line
Training isn’t an option. A dedicated training session sharpens key concepts and essential skills for more effective and safe real-world applications. Make training a priority and you’ll get it done.
—Dale Stockton, Editor in chief
