"If you’re not capable of violence, you’re not peaceful — you’re harmless." — Dr. Jordan B. Peterson

In law enforcement, we often rush to teach de-escalation without first evaluating whether the trainee is capable of handling what they're expected to de-escalate.

True peace officers are not defined by passivity, but by discipline, judgment, and restraint in the presence of force — not the absence of it.

A trainee who is uncomfortable with the potential for violence may hesitate, shut down, or overcorrect under pressure. Before we can train composure, we must assess capacity. Before we demand wisdom, we must develop confidence.

Field training must go beyond checkboxes and focus on the psychological readiness of each trainee.

Not just: “Can they talk someone down?”

But: “Can they stand their ground, stay calm, and act decisively when lives are on the line?”

We don’t create warriors to make them violent. We create warriors so they never have to be.

👊 Let’s build better officers from the inside out.

🔍 Interested in rethinking your FTO model? Let’s talk.

#TactixFieldTraining #LawEnforcementTraining #PoliceLeadership #UseOfForce #Deescalation #FTO #CompetencyBasedTraining

Don’t just count who graduates—study why some don’t.

At Tactix, we don’t just count who graduates—we study why some don’t.

During World War II, military leaders examined returning aircraft peppered with bullet holes to decide where to reinforce armor. Mathematician Abraham Wald challenged their thinking. He pointed out they were only studying the planes that survived. The areas without damage? Those were the critical points—because when they got hit, the planes never made it back.

This is survivorship bias. And it still shows up today—in law enforcement field training programs.

Too often, agencies evaluate their training model by looking only at successful graduates. But what about the trainees who didn’t finish? Or those who struggled post-certification? If we only analyze those who “made it back,” we may be reinforcing the wrong areas of our program.

At Tactix, we use data-driven insights to identify patterns in both success and attrition. We ask:

• Where are the breakdowns in competency development?

• Which behaviors predict long-term success—not just graduation?

• What interventions actually turn struggling officers around?

Our approach focuses on what matters most: improving training outcomes, officer readiness, and long-term performance—not just pass/fail stats.

Because in field training, just like in combat, where the bullets don’t land can be just as important as where they do.

#TactixFieldTraining #LawEnforcementTraining #FieldTrainingOfficer #CompetencyBasedTraining #SurvivorshipBias #DataDrivenPolicing #ModernPolicing #TrainingInnovation #PoliceLeadership #PerformanceMatter

Why Vague Remedial Plans Don’t Work

Why Vague Plans Don’t Work

If you’ve ever had to write a remedial plan, you know how easy it is to fall into the trap of being too general: “Needs to improve communication,” “Should be more aware of surroundings,” etc.

But vague goals don’t lead to real progress.

Strong remedial plans are specific, time-bound, and built with a clear roadmap for success. They take the guesswork out—for both the trainee and the trainer. At Tactix, we use a simple but powerful framework to make sure those plans actually work—and get results.

When objectives are clear, progress becomes measurable. And that’s where real growth starts.

Curious how we build plans that stick? Let’s connect.

#FieldTraining #PoliceTraining #SMARTGoals #TactixFieldTraining #PerformanceMatters #LawEnforcementLeadership #RemedialPlans #Accountability #CompetencyBasedTraining #ProfessionalDevelopment #TrainWithPurpose

Advancing the Future of Field Training

Honored to have presented today at the DCJS Training Directors Conference at the Founders Inn in Virginia Beach. I had the opportunity to share the benefits of a competency-based field training program and the evaluation methods we’ve developed to support it.

Grateful to be part of the ongoing conversation about the future of police training and the critical role field training plays in shaping professional, capable officers.

#FieldTraining #CompetencyBasedTraining #LawEnforcement #PoliceTraining #ProfessionalDevelopment #TactixFieldTraining

Don't Just Evaluate, Develop

Coaching a new officer is a lot like coaching a young baseball player. Some step up to the plate with raw talent. Others need help with their stance, their timing, or just the confidence to swing. But every one of them needs a coach who sees the whole player, not just the stats.

A good FTO doesn’t just evaluate, they develop.
They spot bad habits early.
They break down mechanics.
They stay calm when their trainee’s in a slump.
And they know when to step back and let them step up.

Field training is where we teach more than policy and procedure. It’s where we shape judgment, resilience, and trust under pressure. It's not about getting it perfect on day one, it's about building someone who can lead off, hold the line, and be a dependable part of the team.

Let’s stop treating field training like a tryout.
Let’s treat it like a season—where coaching, growth, and mentorship create the kind of officers we all want in the field.

#FieldTraining #LawEnforcementTraining #CoachingCulture #CompetencyBasedTraining #LeadershipDevelopment #PoliceTraining #TactixFieldTraining

Reality Doesn’t Care If You Graduated, It Cares If You’re Ready.

In law enforcement, finishing a training program is important—but it’s not enough. Readiness means more than completing checklists or passing tests. It means being able to perform when it matters most—when there’s no margin for error.

At Tactix, we build systems that go beyond goals. Systems that shape critical thinking, decision-making, and real-world competence. Because goals finish training—but systems forge professionals.

#FieldTraining #LawEnforcement #CompetencyBasedTraining #TactixFieldTraining #ReadinessMatters

Rethinking Field Training: The Future is Competency-Based

For years, law enforcement field training has followed a structured yet rigid model—one that often prioritizes task completion over true proficiency. But policing isn't about checking boxes; it's about developing critical thinkers who can adapt to complex, real-world situations.

That's why we adopted a competency-based approach. Instead of focusing solely on whether a trainee completes a task, we assess how well they perform across core policing competencies—decision-making, problem-solving, communication, officer safety, and more.

This shift has transformed our ability to track real-time performance, identify developmental trends, and ensure trainees progress at the right pace. It also gives our trainers better tools to mentor, guide, and support new officers effectively.

Competency-based training isn't just a tweak to the system—it's a necessary evolution. If we're serious about building resilient, well-prepared officers, we need to train them in a way that reflects the realities of modern policing.

What do you think? How is your agency approaching field training?

#LawEnforcement #FieldTraining #PoliceTraining #CompetencyBasedTraining #Leadership #TrainingInnovation