Overview

Training and education play an essential role in shaping officer behavior and decision-making and include a combination of skills-based training and broader educational instruction in law and law enforcement practices. A comprehensive training and education plan integrates various forms of learning, such as train-the-trainer, academy instruction, and field training, and is aligned with an agency’s vision, incentive structure, and accountability mechanisms.

EMERGENCY SERVICES - Policewomen in classroom

Self-Review Tool

The Knowledge Lab is developing an online self-review tool to help agencies reflect on their current policies and practices evaluate them against research and evidence-informed practices their performance in key areas of policing. This tool is intended to provide a snapshot of where an agency currently stands within this core practice area. There are no right or wrong answers, only an opportunity for honest reflection, learning, and continuous improvement.

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Resources Related to Training and Education

  • Reset

Article | 2025

Force Multipliers in Action: Advancing Policing Through Strategic Innovation

  • Training and Education
  • Technology Implementation

Report | 2025

The Current State of Traffic Enforcement

  • Officer Safety and Wellness
  • Training and Education

Guidebook/Tool | 2025

Elements of an Effective Active Shooter Course

  • Mass Critical Incident Response
  • Training and Education
police officers in a classroom

Research Article | 2024

State and Local Law Enforcement Training Academies and Recruits

  • Recruitment and Retention
  • Training and Education

Collection, Training, Webpage | 2024

Firearms-Related Training for Law Enforcement

  • Crime Investigations
  • Training and Education
A Law Enforcement Officer's Duty Belt

Research Brief | 2023

Can Police De-escalation Training Reduce Use of Force and Citizen Injury Without Compromising Officer Safety?

  • Use of Force
  • Training and Education
A Law Enforcement Officer's Duty Belt

Article, Video | 2023

What Works in De-Escalation Training: Implementation Lessons and Taking it to Scale

  • Use of Force
  • Training and Education
A Law Enforcement Officer's Duty Belt

Research Brief | 2023

Law Enforcement De-escalation Training: A Summary of Research and a Scan of Practice

  • Use of Force
  • Training and Education

The information provided within these modules has been gathered from various sources, including legal reviews, research, and practitioner and department-developed resources. These webpage modules are intended to be a guide for departments to use to improve their policing practices. Additional information and resources may be needed to implement the recommendations successfully. This resource is intended to be dynamic, and the Knowledge Lab will continue to update and add to these modules to provide additional and current guidance for departments.

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Access the complete Resources Library to explore a wide range of strategies, tools, and best practices that support agencies, practitioners, and communities.