Editor’s note: Utilizing our annual State of the Industry survey as a launching point, Police1 delves into the critical issues facing law enforcement and the changes officers want to see in their profession. “What Cops Want” is a movement aimed at reshaping the future of policing. By giving patrol officers a platform to be heard and driving insightful discussions around their feedback, we aim to foster a more satisfying and effective law enforcement environment. Click here to access this year’s survey findings on officer safety issues.
I was appalled by some of the answers in Police1’s “What Cops Want in 2025” survey that asked street officers how often they train in defensive tactics. The responses were:
Defensive tactics are a critical, perishable skill essential to the mission of “protect and serve.” These skills can mean the difference between life and death — for officers and the citizens they are sworn to protect. It shocks the conscience to think some “leaders” provide defensive tactics training only “rarely” — or “never.”
“We don’t train enough — and it shows”
One officer put it bluntly: “We don’t train enough and it shows.”
That statement speaks volumes. When a trained team of officers faces resistance, they apply professional techniques and look like professionals. In contrast, an untrained group will look more like bouncers in uniform than peace officers — through no fault of their own.
The training deficit is a leadership deficit
Training is a core responsibility of law enforcement leadership. A failure to provide defensive tactics training is a clear sign of a leadership failure.
Leaders who send officers into the field unprepared for physical conflict are ignoring survey data that shows the public is increasingly confrontational. Today’s officers are more likely than ever to face aggressive resistance. Consider that:
- Between 2 and 3 million Americans actively train in mixed martial arts.
- More than 16 million U.S. military veterans are trained in hand-to-hand combat.
Thankfully, most of these individuals are law-abiding citizens. But many with advanced fighting skills do confront officers.
The most recorded generation
In a time when nearly every encounter is recorded from multiple angles, it’s difficult to understand how any leader could fail to prioritize training in use of force — one of the most scrutinized aspects of policing.
Leadership excuses
Leaders who fail to train often offer familiar excuses. Here are a few:
- We’re already training in other areas. Some leaders point to de-escalation or crisis intervention training — while ignoring the need for hands-on defensive tactics.
- Maybe if we don’t train for it, “it” won’t happen. Some “leaders” seem to believe that by training for “it,” you are encouraging “it.” Leaders with this mindset have, in the past, banned the use of batons, neck restraints, special munitions, foot pursuits and vehicle pursuits — and also fail to offer empty-hand control training. It’s important to note that taking force options away from police officers does not eliminate the real-world need to use those force options.
- Injuries. Injuries during training are sometimes used as a reason to stop training altogether.
- Budget. Training is often the first item cut when budgets are tight. But real leaders recognize that defensive tactics are a priority — and they budget accordingly.
- Internal resistance. Some officers don’t want to train. Some supervisors claim it “drains the shift.” But every profession has mandatory training — law enforcement should be no exception.
The truth is, excuses are like noses: everyone has one. And a lack of training is just as plain — and exploitable — as the nose on your face.
How often is enough?
As an active street cop, I trained weekly throughout my career. I even started classes so other officers could train with me.
At first, department leaders were skeptical. But once they saw the impact of ongoing team-based arrest and control training, they embraced it. The results:
- Fewer complaints
- Less litigation
- Fewer injuries
- Greater officer confidence
So how often should agencies train in defensive tactics?
- Quarterly is a start
- Monthly is better
- Weekly is best — especially for new officers
For leaders who train “rarely” or “never,” I suggest looking up the term “deliberate indifference.”
Final word
The good news is that even a department with a leadership deficit can improve instantly. All it takes is for those leaders — the ones who created the deficit — to look in the mirror and honestly say, “We can and will do better.”
To do better, remember this: the best leaders not only provide their officers with the training needed to excel in the worst situations — they train right alongside them.
Here’s one more poll for leaders and officers: How often must an officer be prepared to face aggressive, assaultive, or combative suspects?
- Rarely
- Never
- Always
If you answered “always,” then … prepare!
| WATCH: Solo patrols, delayed backup and underfunding top the list of officer safety concerns in Police1’s latest ‘What Cops Want’ survey:
