Fear- Based Training

A few months back I attended a Department of Safety (DPS) Shift Christmas Party. I was ecstatic to celebrate with the  “Big guys” and the “Big Girls”. Police officers are the good guys, the guys who enforce the laws and help keep our community safe. I held them up to high standards and had nothing but respect for them because of their line of work.
However, this party portrayed a different perspective than what I believed to be true. The incidents that occurred that night changed my perspective. Throughout the evening I witnessed firsthand bullying, discrimination, sexual harassment, gender inequality, lack of respect, lack of security and lack of discipline.  I thought, "Maybe this is what they were taught?." I told my friends of my concerns and how I did not feel safe at the party. Her response caused in me great sadness.

I learned that they're trained to be that way. During their Academy training they learned  this type of conduct as a means to toughen up. This learning approach has been used many times  focused on fear based training or warrior style training.  Jacob Frey, Minneapolis Mayor stated, “Warrior-style” training takes a fear-based approach to policing that prioritizes officer safety over community safety by conditioning trainees to view all encounters as inherently dangerous."  In other words this form of training encourages cops to be fearful in all situations, therefore not trusting in any situation. Frey's statement reveals  the strength of police officers is to support each other due to difficult situations they deal with every day. Working as a cop implies you are a member of a close group. Regardless of where you work, your law enforcement partners become like a second family, offering help all through your profession and after leaving.  It all sounds good, but what I saw that night were all the negatives of fear based training.

A victim of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking and/or sexual assault, dealing with a police officer with warrior style training  can cause more harm.  In discussions with victims of domestic and sexual violence in American Samoa it was noted out of nine (9) victims who were interviewed only one (1) contacted the police, where the abuser was arrested.  One victim stated, "I was too scared of the perpetrator, and I didn't want to bring shame upon my family."  We need those who are there to protect us, to believe us.  For a victim this is asking police officers, "Be thorough in your investigation."  Examine both sides of the story, look at the evidence and make your decisions based on the evidence presented, not with how you feel.  Making sure to collect the evidence, like taking photos, or making sure the victim obtains medical care, Just as important is to make a risk assessment of the situation. Provide safety planning for a victim can be essential. 
 
I guess what I'm saying is...I understand the Warrior style mentality.  It can sometimes help them create safe working environment when you're placing your life on the line every day.  Police officers are exposed to bad things every single day. They get used to it and don’t realize it, but over time the effects build up.  Warrior style mentality offers only one style of law enforcement training.  Training can be focused on wellness.  Working through wellness can help create a trusted and open work environment among employers and employees. Participating in wellness can help Police Officers share what they go through or experience on duty and how they can help each other. Another alternative is to offer mental health services for Police Officers when they are exposed to terrible situations on a daily bases.  The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is aware that cops work in environments where bad things happen. Accordingly, NIJ developed the Safety, Health, and Wellness Strategic Research Plan to describe its current and projected efforts to advance the security, well being, and health of people who work in or are influenced by the criminal equity framework. The plan states that “the focus on stress, trauma, and suicide and self-harm prevention cuts across demographic areas highlighting the importance of promoting research of these topics within the criminal justice system.” - James Dawson

Although there are no solid alternatives for fear based training, these healthy ways can aid in finding a solution that can more properly train police officers. This can result in creating a healthy work place among police officers and improved approaches for victims of domestic and sexual violence. 

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