How a Police Academy Integrated eTRAIN into their Curriculum

A Case Study in Enhancing Police Cadet Training

 March 4, 2024

Importance of Interactive Training

Police cadet training is an essential part of ensuring public safety. To keep up with the ever-evolving landscape of law enforcement, Police Training Academies must keep their training programs up-to-date to enhance Police Cadet Training. Furthermore, the use of technology in training has become more crucial than ever before. That’s where eTRAIN comes in. Here in Part 1, we will explore how eTRAIN was integrated into a Police Training Academy’s curriculum and impacted their cadets’ training this past fall. In part 2, we will look into a case study of a single officer improving their accuracy in answering multiple-choice questions during training exercises by analyzing data and providing consistent feedback.

eTRAIN is a cloud-based software platform that offers immersive and interactive training scenarios for law enforcement agencies. In other words, it provides scenario-based training that allows cadets to experience real-life situations in a safe and controlled environment. This platform improves decision-making skills and enhances situational awareness.

e-TRAIN in a Police Academy Settings

In the Fall of ‘23, a Police Training Academy partnered with eTRAIN to integrate it into their training curriculum. Specifically, the Police Training Academy created a specific order for scenarios based on the in-person training of that week. Cadets completed 3-4 scenarios as homework twice weekly and then reviewed them as a class. Additionally, the department used Scenario Builder to create a final set of scenarios unique to their training requirements that the cadets would complete at the end of their training. This customized implementation for a training academy shows the versatility of the eTRAIN platform (contact here to learn more – info@decervo.com).

Training Results

In general, the cadets demonstrated exemplary performance in the training scenarios. Their accuracy rate of 79% and average response time of 2.01 seconds are similar to other law enforcement officer cohorts in the eTRAIN database. The cadets showed exceptional performance in scenarios that involved DUIs (83%), Vehicle Stops (82%), Kinesic Training (81%), and Tactical (81%) decision-making.

During their training, the cadets reduced their response times significantly. The figure below shows that they started with an average response time of 3 seconds, but by the end of the training, they could respond with an average time of 1.6 seconds. Although the overall accuracy did not change significantly, the drop in response time suggests that the cadets could recall information more quickly and had a better understanding of the training curriculum.

As we can see, the cadets who underwent the training program exhibited impressive growth and development. The program was designed to expose the cadets to various scenarios, and it’s clear that they learned a lot from each one. In particular, the cadets significantly improved Use of Force, Domestic Violence, and Tactical scenarios. These are all crucial skills for law enforcement officers, and it’s encouraging to see the cadets take their training seriously and work to improve their abilities.

After completing the training, one of the live training instructors remarked that this group of cadets was the most well-prepared he had ever encountered. This is a significant compliment and a testament to the cadets’ dedication and hard work. Clearly, they took the training seriously and put in the effort to hone their skills. The instructor’s comment also speaks to the quality of the training program itself.

The Importance of Integrating Scenario-Based Training Early in Police Training

eTRAIN integration into the Police Training Academy curriculum significantly impacted cadets’ training. Scenario-based training allowed cadets to experience real-life situations in a safe and controlled environment, improving decision-making skills and situational awareness. The platform offers a powerful tool for creating immersive and interactive training scenarios. As technology becomes crucial in training, eTRAIN enhances police training. The integration of eTRAIN into the curriculum provided cadets with a more effective and realistic training experience. The impact of eTRAIN is a testament to the power of technology in law enforcement training.