Working in partnership with the College of Policing, Professor Cushion has helped develop a new approach to Public and Personal Safety Training (PPST), designing a scenario-based training model that uses real-life situations that officers encounter on an average day at work.
The programme is a learner centred approach that focusses on realistic in-context tasks that progresses officers through de-escalation in situations with effective decision-making and communication, to tactics to deal with violence and aggression, in order to keep themselves and others safe.
Professor Cushion, a Professor of Coaching and Pedagogy, completed an initial review of Officer Safety Training in the UK, and provided recommendations to the College of Policing for improvements to the design of the course. His research looked at the structure and organisation of officer safety training whilst also examining its effectiveness.
His review uncovered that training was being delivered in isolated and low-pressure conditions and under predictable circumstances and highlighted the need to maximise practice time-on-task, which includes reality-based practice under pressure.
Commenting on his findings, Professor Cushion said:
“Training needs to be as realistic as possible delivered to maximise officer learning. Officers need to learn practical skills under stress, so that mistakes are made in training not on the street. Taking an overly cautious approach can have the effect of deskilling officers rather than producing highly skilled officers.”
Professor Cushion worked with the College of Policing to pilot the new training course with the support of Avon and Somerset Police and Dynamis Training. Officers from the force then also took part in a year-long pilot that was completed once the new training programme had been finalised.
In just the one force alone, the pilot of the training led to 1,200 fewer use-of-force incidents over a 12-month span. It also led to a drop in the number of assaults on officers.
Commenting on the importance of having this new training programme, Professor Cushion said:
“Police officers are expected to deal with dangerous situations on a regular basis. The seriousness of events this summer have highlighted this. It is crucial that the training the officers receive is contemporary and evidence informed to equip them with the skills and knowledge they need to manage situations effectively and safely for all.”
Sir Andy Marsh, CEO at the College of Policing, added:
“含羞草视频 and in particular Professor Chris Cushion played a major role in the assessment of our new public and personal safety training (PPST). Their outstanding work in running a year-long pilot scheme at Avon and Somerset found officers recorded 11% less use-of-force incidents through scenario-based training.
“This evaluation has helped police officers deal much more effectively with the challenges they face by focussing more on communication and de-escalation techniques. Thanks to the research work done by Chris and his team, we now train officers in England and Wales to the same consistently high standards using this new PPST training.”
The programme is currently being rolled out across all forces in England and Wales, and serving officers must repeat their training for two days every year. The national roll out will ensure that officers and staff are trained to a consistently high standard.