Why Training Matters

by Scott Kirshner, M.Ed., COSCI, INCI

Training is a never ending process!

 

The Code Enforcement Officer Safety Foundation is the leading international

non-profit that is solely dedicated to advocating for the safety of all code officials.

 

One of the most important decisions you can make is to choose safety. Unfortunately, many individuals do not think about safety until they are in a situation where their safety is in jeopardy. If you have not prepared prior to an incident, you may not be mentally or physically prepared to effectively respond. If you fail to assess the incident, make sense of what is occurring, reach a decision, and respond in an effective and legal manner the outcome may result in your victimization. Considering that many violent encounters occur extremely fast, you will not have a lot of time to process what is happening and respond to an attack. Training matters.

 

It is not uncommon for established trainers to reach a point where they get into the routine of facilitating courses but fail to attend new training courses. This will eventually lead to stagnation and a skillset that is outdated. It is important to continually learn, which is why one of my safety goals is to attend at least one training course per year. This provides me the ability to learn new skills, improve current skills, and to keep my skillset up to date and relevant. In 2024, I completed 6 courses totaling more than 190 hours of training. This included 2 courses on instructor/curriculum development, 3 combative courses, and 1 course on performance enhancement. These courses were facilitated by world class instructors who are experts in their field. In addition to learning relevant information, I made new friends and connections with trainers who are passionate about officer safety and survival. Training matters.

 

Some of the most important lessons I learn about safety come from those who attend my courses. In every course I facilitate there is a participant who tells me about a safety related story that often involves victimization. Such stories are powerful and impactful. Anytime a class participant is willing to be vulnerable to discussing an incident that often changes their life, it motivates me to continue my journey so that others may avoid such victimization and trauma. Training matters. 

 

Why Training Matters

There are a variety of reasons why training matters to include:

 

1.     It is you who will pay the price of victimization if you are not prepared (even then there are no guarantees)

2.     You do not get to delegate your safety to anyone else – it is your responsibility

3.     Training is a never ending process as there is always more to learn, practice, improve, and refine

 

Training matters because it provides you with skills that can significantly improve your chances of having

a positive outcome during a violent encounter. If your department provides safety training, then attend the

courses with an open mind to learn as much as possible. If your department does not offer safety

training, then seek out training on your own. The Code Enforcement Officer Safety Foundation offers

safety training courses and resources. Training matters because code officials – your peers – have been

harassed, stalked, threatened, assaulted, and murdered doing the same job as you. Take ownership for

your training. On social media the Code Enforcement Officer Safety Foundation has highlighted multiple

incidents that have been reported to the foundation regarding extremely dangerous encounters. Training

matters.

 

 

Violence is not bias. Violence does not discriminate. Violence does not care about your job title, the name of your department, or the jurisdiction you serve. Violences has no feelings. Violence has no judgement. Violence has no morality. Violence is a tool that predators use to cause harm and pain. Training is your insurance policy that provides you an opportunity to resolve violence. There is no guarantee of a successful outcome. High quality, contextually relevant training increases your chances for a successful outcome. Training matters.

The new year is here and I challenge you to develop a training plan that includes attending training courses because…training matters! Training is a never ending process! 

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About the Author

Scott Kirshner, M.Ed., COSCI, INCI, has been a Parole Administrator, Supervisory Probation Officer, and a Corrections Officer. He has extensive experience as an officer survival trainer to include lead defensive tactics instructor, firearms instructor, and use of force instructor. He is the author of Officer Survival for Code Enforcement Officers. Mr. Kirshner is the President and Lead Instructor of Dedicated Threat Solutions, LLC.