How Some Police Departments and Officers Approach Training

Published on November 29, 2025
Duration: 2:46

Instructor Mike, a former/current police firearms instructor, critically examines law enforcement training. He highlights how officer ego can lead to resistance to external instruction and how departmental leadership may prioritize easy qualification over genuine proficiency, citing an example where a rigorous FBI course led to mass failure, prompting a return to a simpler state course. The discussion also emphasizes the need for internal accountability in training standards, regardless of a department's demographic makeup.

Quick Summary

Instructor Mike, a former police firearms instructor, critiques law enforcement training by addressing officer ego, which can lead to resistance to external instruction. He also points out how departmental leadership may prioritize easy qualification rates over genuine proficiency, citing an instance where a rigorous FBI course led to mass failure, prompting a return to simpler state courses.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Ego and Resistance to Training
  2. 01:10Departmental Training Standards
  3. 02:10Leadership and Accountability

Frequently Asked Questions

What are common issues with police firearms training discussed by Instructor Mike?

Instructor Mike highlights officer ego leading to resistance to external instruction and departmental leadership prioritizing easy qualification over true proficiency. He notes that a rigorous FBI course led to mass failure, prompting a return to simpler state courses, indicating a systemic issue with training standards.

How does officer ego impact firearms training in law enforcement?

Officer ego can cause law enforcement personnel to resist instruction from civilian experts or outside trainers, even when those trainers demonstrate superior skills. This resistance can hinder professional development and the adoption of best practices in firearms handling and proficiency.

What is the role of leadership in police firearms training standards?

Leadership is crucial in setting and maintaining high firearms training standards. Instructor Mike argues that leadership often fails in this regard, sometimes opting for easier qualification courses to ensure higher pass rates, which compromises overall officer proficiency and readiness.

Why might a police department revert to easier training courses after implementing a more rigorous one?

A department might revert to easier training courses if a more rigorous one, like the FBI course mentioned, results in a high failure rate among officers. This is often done to ensure officers remain qualified, but it indicates a systemic issue where passing rates are prioritized over developing and maintaining high-level proficiency.

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