Question for chiefs, sheriffs, and administrators.

[Sparky]

I know there are a few administrators out there who lurk about a bit, but don't often post. This question is for anyone out there in a senior administrative position.

I'm working on a few givens here:

1) Officers usually want more training.
2) Administrators and governments usually want more training for their officers.

Given the usuall budget, time, and manpower constraints; in what ways do you, as an administrator, feel that the LE training community could improve and increase training for officers?

If officers want training, and agencies want officers to get more training, then surely there must be some ways to make that happen.

I welcome your thoughts, observations, and comments.

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-Sparky

[Niteshift]

Let me interject something here Sparky:

I'm cheap. I'm also easy, but that's for another conversation. I'm the king of finding free schools. I'd dare say that, on average, my dept. gets a boatload more training, per officer, than most small depts.

What disgusts me, both as a trainer and as the guy paying for it, is those people who fleece those govts. that have money to spend. Worse still, the small ones that can't afford training.

One of my pet peeves is the IACP. Costs a ton of money (compared to other organizations) to join. The offer a lot of training, but it's really expensive. Is it really necessary to charge around $150-200 per day per student? I mean you already have the lesson plan, the instructional materials etc. Once you rent the room (which can be done cheap in most cases), how much is the instructor making?

Personally, when I teach, as long as I don't lose money to do it and maybe pick up some pocket money, I'm happy.

Rant over. http://www.officer.com/ubb/smile.gif

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Niteshift-
Perseverate In Pugna

[Sparky]

I agree Niteshift. The first priority should be to train, not to make money. I expect for a trainer to be fairly compensated for his preparation time, travel, experience, materials, etc. You have to meet your overhead as well, BUT....some of these courses that I have seen carry outrageous fees.

Handouts and course materials can get VERY expensive. And I recognize that travel and hotel can also take alot of money. Plus, a good instructor will be in demand and can charge what the market will bear. I think there is a place for these high cost training sessions, BUT...I also feel that there is also a big gap to fill to provide consistant, high quality training, on needed topics, to the majority of people who need it.

I put in alot of time and effort just to prepare a training outline, materials, and presentation. I expect to be compensated for my time and personal expense, but my first priority is to actually train officers. If cost gets in the way of accomplishing this, then something has gone wrong somewhere.

You can't discount the business side to training, but I also believe that officers should get good value for their money!

I hope some other administrators or traininers have some insight on this problem and others.

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-Sparky

[Sparky]

No pesponses??? C'mon...I know some of you chiefs are out there....

aren't you??

Anyway....I welcome comments from anyone, actually. Anybody with some feedback on this??

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-Sparky

[WYTAC]

I agree Sparky and I too have found training officers to be more valuable to me than lining my pocket. I don't understand some of our fellow trainers out there who charge $120 and up per day per Officer.

My rate (hope you don't mind another business plug for Law Enforcement Tactical Concepts) is normally $40.00 per day per Officer (this includes one training manual per Officer), unless I have a *Great Deal of Expenses*. That has not occured as yet because I have had a great deal of support from my clients when I take my training to them, such as training facilities, range, refreshments, bringing in outside students, and supply of some materials such as targets etc. I even encourage their trainers to assist with the class so they will be comfortable in continued training in the subject.

Yet the high priced trainers get most of the business. I understand that they have the big draw trainers, such as former or present big city and military people, but I think many agencies fail to notice the small training providers can and do have trainers with the same training qualifications and backgrounds. We charge much less, deliver quality training, and are flexable in obtaining and retaining their business.

I decided to start LETAC because I love training Cops. If I can do no better then just breaking even on my bills and mantain my level of living as a line Officer, that is good enough for me.



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Keep Low, Stay Safe,
Max