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The Way To Better Training Isn’t Practice

The Way To Better Training Isn’t Practice

 

Quick, habitual responses are critical in high-pressure scenarios, and the need for automaticity underscores why repetition is often at the core of training programs. For police officers, reflexive competence can mean the difference between a successful resolution and a tragic outcome. But here’s the surprising truth: doing the same thing over and over again may not be the best way to achieve mastery.

If you’re familiar with the “10,000-hour rule,” popularized by Malcolm Gladwell, you might think it takes 10,000 hours of practice to master a skill. However, the original researcher behind this concept, Anders Ericsson, recently clarified that mastery isn’t about clocking hours or simply repeating what you already know. Someone can log thousands of hours of practice and still fail to improve.

Mastery comes down to how we practice, what we focus on, and when we step back to reflect. It’s not about sheer volume—it’s about deliberate, purposeful effort. Here are three ways to elevate training beyond repetition and build the skills officers need to succeed in the field.

1. Know Your Outcomes

The first step in designing training is to define clear outcomes. What do you want participants to be able to do by the end of the session? Far too often, training is treated as a box to check rather than a purposeful journey toward proficiency.

This is where Bloom’s Taxonomy can be a valuable tool. Bloom’s Taxonomy categorizes learning objectives into levels, from foundational knowledge to higher-order skills like critical thinking and problem-solving. For example, are you training officers to simply recognize an escalated situation, or do you want them to evaluate and adapt their response to dynamic conditions?

Training that’s aligned with clear, measurable outcomes ensures that every minute spent in the classroom or simulator contributes to meaningful growth. It’s not just about running through scenarios—it’s about equipping officers with the skills they’ll need to excel when it matters most.

2. Target Your Weakness

Improvement doesn’t come from mindlessly repeating what we already do well—it comes from focusing on areas where we struggle. This approach, often referred to as deliberate practice, emphasizes intentional, goal-oriented efforts to address specific weaknesses and achieve meaningful growth.

In law enforcement training, this means identifying precise gaps in skills, such as decision-making under pressure or communication during de-escalation, and tailoring exercises to bridge those gaps. Instead of running generic “hostage negotiation” drills, for instance, training might focus on specific elements—like recognizing emotional triggers, using non-confrontational language, or adapting commands to evolving situations.

Key to this process is structured feedback and reflection. Effective training incorporates regular opportunities to evaluate performance, identify errors, and refine approaches. Without these feedback loops, practice can reinforce bad habits rather than lead to improvement.

By intentionally targeting areas of difficulty and integrating feedback, training programs help participants move beyond their comfort zones, enabling them to build the skills necessary for mastery. This focused, purposeful practice is what sets effective training apart from simply “putting in the hours.”

3. Space It Out

The brain doesn’t learn best through cramming—it thrives on repetition over time. This concept, known as spaced retrieval, is backed by neuroscience. By spacing out training sessions and incorporating intervals of rest, officers are forced to recall information from memory, which strengthens learning and retention.

Imagine training like lifting weights at the gym. If you do set after set without resting, you’ll burn out before you build muscle. Similarly, back-to-back training scenarios may feel productive in the moment, but they don’t give the brain the time it needs to consolidate knowledge or reflect on lessons learned.

Spacing out training not only enhances memory but also encourages officers to engage with material more thoughtfully. Training less repetitively may even improve officers’ ability to think more creatively. By revisiting scenarios after a break, participants can approach challenges with fresh eyes, identify patterns, and refine their strategies for real-world application.

Mastery Isn’t About Doing More—It’s About Doing Better

Training programs that focus solely on repetition risk creating rigidity instead of readiness. By incorporating deliberate practice, targeted development, and spaced retrieval, police agencies can build more effective, adaptable officers who are prepared for the unpredictable challenges of the field.

Effective training isn’t just about the hours you put in—it’s about how you spend them. When we shift the focus from repetition to reflection, from volume to value, we create a foundation for success that extends far beyond the training room.