NCJ Number
191762
Journal
Gazette Volume: 63 Issue: 3 Dated: 2001 Pages: 39-44
Date Published
2001
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Based on a study of trainee reactions to real-life police training and case studies of such reactions, this article discusses the importance of providing appropriate interventions to help trainees deal with stressful reactions to training events, as well as the nature of such interventions.
Abstract
The "training scenario" is an experiential training method that involves acting out real-life situations. The scenario produces experiences in trainees of a cognitive, affective, and behavioral nature that take on real-incident experiences. These may include fear, apprehension, anger, embarrassment, and confusion. Physiological reactions may include "pipeline" vision, blurred vision, auditory exclusion, tremors, sweating, and slow reaction times. Further, a full range of post-event experiences may occur. In a study conducted by the authors, they prepared lists of situations in which trainees experienced stress reactions in training scenarios. Stress reactions were witnessed in training that involved critical incidents, suicide intervention, hostage-taking, emergency response, and institutional security skills. The seven case studies presented first describe the training situations that gave rise to trainees' stressful reactions as well as the details of the trainees' reactions. This is followed by a description of the intervention and analysis intended to help the trainees deal with their reactions, so as to avoid short-term and long-term adverse effects from the training. 4 references