'Warriors' vs 'guardians': the pitfalls of police recruit training in the US

American police training fails to keep pace with the increasingly complex realities that today's officers face

Tactical police training. Man with anti-shock clothing.
Focus on defense techniques still outweigh de-escalation training
(Image credit: Cavan Images / Getty Images)

The relationship between the general public and law enforcement in America has been historically fraught with challenges, leading to repeated calls for police reform. Much of the recommended reform is centered around the root of the problem: the lack of basic training for new police officers. 

While police cameras have helped some with the need for more transparency, they have also captured moments that call into question how prepared police officers really are. Recently, a Florida deputy went viral for emptying his gun into his parked cruiser, where a suspect sat cuffed, because he mistook the sound of an acorn falling for a gunshot. Bodycam footage also captured the moment Texas deputies shot a woman in her own home after she was mistaken for an intruder. These were just two of the incidents experts say could have been avoided with proper police training. 

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Theara Coleman, The Week US

Theara Coleman has worked as a staff writer at The Week since September 2022. She frequently writes about technology, education, literature and general news. She was previously a contributing writer and assistant editor at Honeysuckle Magazine, where she covered racial politics and cannabis industry news.