The implementation and evaluation of a critical incident management simulation training program adapted specifically for police recruit-level training

Experience has shown that new police personnel (recent academy graduates) have a difficult time dealing with critical police tasks at the scene of major incidents. Although police officer trainees are typically exposed to emergency response training at the recruit level, there is usually limited time available for the systematic practical application of skills taught. Oftentimes, new personnel must integrate these skills on the job as a major incident unfolds.; The purpose of this study was to determine whether police officer trainees who are exposed to a critical incident management lecture-discussion-simulation training program, adapted specifically for recruit level training, would have significantly higher test scores in the area of critical police tasks as compared to similar police officer trainees who receive only the lecture-discussion format of this training program. Besides helping to determine the learning effectiveness and training impact of critical incident management training when applied to police recruits, of equal importance would be the significance of simulation training as a valuable educational tool and learning strategy in this high risk training arena.; This study involved two Metro-Dade Police Department recruit classes consisting of 38 and 32 members respectively. One of the classes participated in a critical incident management lecture-discussion followed by the treatment condition (model city simulator) and was tested while the other class was tested after participating only in the lecture and discussion that precedes the simulation component of this training program. The research indicated that helping police officer trainees to identify the critical tasks that must be employed at major scenes, exposing them to a systematic approach to integrate these tasks to solve problems, and allowing them to practice their use on a model city simulator using realistic scenarios, results in significantly higher test scores when compared to the lecture-discussion format alone. Although this study involved small samples and further research should be undertaken, the demonstrated strategic impact that this simulation training program could potentially have on a department's emergency response capabilities is encouraging.