Building Federal Law Enforcement for the 21st Century
The 21st Century law enforcement professional needs modern tactics, modern equipment, and modern recruiting methods to meet growing public safety and homeland security needs. The world is rapidly changing and threats that exist today did not exist 100 years ago. Law enforcement professionals must keep pace with the change, and that begins with adequate and regular professional development for the men and women who serve.
Crimes in the United States have become increasingly complex. In addition to traditional crime, federal law enforcement is enlisted to disrupt transnational drug and trafficking operations, large-scale financial crimes, and an entirely new world of internet based criminal activity. It is outdated to think an officer can be trained once at the start of their career and have the tools to succeed a decade later. Training must be continuous.
Additionally, law enforcement interactions with the public inform how training can be improved over time. FLEOA has consistently advocated for mandated, realistic, and recurring training, including de-escalation and less than lethal force training. These training options recognize that deadly force should be used as a last resort and prepare officers to avoid deadly force unless it is necessary. FLEOA has worked closely with this administration to update agency use-of-force policies and provide this training.
FLEOA has also increased access to training for law enforcement at every level through the FLEOA 111 Project–a non-profit program that provides free and discounted training to federal, state, and local law enforcement across the country.
As the FLEOA 111 Project has demonstrated, technology can serve as a key driver in improving professional development. The 111 Project offers virtual reality simulations to test officer responses in a like-real world environment. Agencies should incorporate new technologies into their training to better prepare officers for real world interactions.
Another area of under resourced professional development is mental health and peer support services. Unfortunately, the lack of adequate psychological services across our country has made law enforcement a common first responder during mental health crises. Law enforcement should have a basic comprehension of how to respond when dealing with a mental health episode. Additional training to ensure law enforcement can maintain public safety during these incidents would align with the reality of law enforcement operations and assist in de-escalation.
For law enforcement that are interested, additional professional development on handling mentally challenged and neurodivergent persons, non-English speakers, and persons with disabilities should be available.
All too often, FLEOA hears about law enforcement who see a gap in their training and want to fill that gap but lack access to resources from their agency or department. In an internal survey, FLEOA learned that 86 percent of respondents were interested in defense tactics/less lethal training but, at the same time, 73 percent did not feel their agency provided them with practical training that would enhance their safety.
The gap between training offered and training requested is far too great. A key to professional development is ensuring that the workforce can keep up with industry trends. In the public safety context, not being able to keep up could mean putting your life on the line. FLEOA continues to work with agencies, congress, and law enforcement directly to ensure adequate training and development opportunities are offered.
FLEOA’s National Police Week 111 Project Event will be hosted in Washington DC on Saturday, May 13, 2023. To learn more, visit here: https://twitter.com/FLEOAORG/status/1646232265674964992/photo/1
This column from the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA) is part of the FEDforum, an initiative to unite voices across the federal community. The FEDforum is a space for federal employee and law enforcement groups to share their organizations’ initiatives and activities with the FEDagent audience.
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