Trainer's Bullpen

Summary: This conversation explores the limitations of traditional police training focused on control and linear responses and introduces a new paradigm—Officer Safety 2.0—that emphasizes reflexivity, insight, and understanding the co-creation of encounters. Benni Zaiser shares his unique background, research, and practical strategies for transforming law enforcement approaches to enhance safety a...

Summary Patrick Van Horne is the co-author of “Left of Bang” and the co-founder of The CP Journal, where he helps organizations get ahead of problems before they become emergencies. A former Marine Corps infantry officer who began his career following the September 11th attacks, Patrick has spent more than 20 years supporting public and private-sector organizations as an entrepreneur, consultant,...

Summary: This Bullpen episode explores the severe limitations of traditional firearms training and why there is a failure of training to show up under the pressure of real-world combat environments. Jack introduces ecological dynamics and constraints-led approaches as learning methods firearms trainers should consider in order to enhance real-world performance. Jack Bale shares insights from his r...

Summary: In this episode we hear insights from Stuart Armstrong, CEO of the Talent Equation, managing director of Future Coach, and host of the Talent Equation Podcast. Stuart challenges traditional coaching paradigms – calling it a ‘limited and fragmented’ system and he advocates for a needed systemic reset in coach education. He emphasizes ecological dynamics, nonlinear pedagogy, and the importa...

Summary: Imagine you are an Emergency Response Team member responding to a hostage rescue call at a crowded casino parking lot. The hostage is rescued. Shots are fired. A life is lost. Now imagine that as a police officer, did your job as trained with tactical excellence—only to be charged with second-degree murder two years later. Today’s guest didn’t just rescue a hostage and survive a lethal-fo...

Summary: Chief Jay Gerace of the Town of Colonie (NY) Police Department shares his innovative microdosing training model, integrating tactical decision games and skill-based practice into daily briefings to enhance officer decision-making, confidence, and operational readiness. Key Topics: • Traditional ‘block’ training results in the worst retention and transfer of policing knowledge and skill •...

Summary: This episode explores the transfer problem in police training, focusing on how, and why, traditional methods of current firearms training is failing to translate into real-world effectiveness. Human performance researchers Dr. Pete Blair and Dr. Rob Gray discuss innovative training approaches rooted in ecological dynamics, emphasizing variability, representative design, and the importance...

Summary: In this conversation, Sam Elsner and the host explore the misconceptions surrounding learning styles and the nature of skill acquisition. They discuss the importance of context, the role of discomfort in learning, and the significance of feedback in training. Sam shares his journey from being a successful athlete to a thought leader in motor learning, emphasizing the need for a shift in h...

Summary: In this conversation, Dr. Rick Parent discusses the complexities surrounding police use of force, the role of civilian oversight, and the importance of clear communication in maintaining public trust. He emphasizes the need for context and perspective in understanding police actions, the dangers faced by officers, and the significance of de-escalation techniques. The discussion also highl...

Summary This conversation with two of Canada’s foremost police researchers, Dr. Nick Carleton and Dr. Craig Bennell, delves into the complexities surrounding police use of force, moral injuries to officers and their families, and the impact of context-void media narratives on public perception. The topic of the conversation centers around a recent research paper by Dr. Carleton and colleagues titl...

Summary: Dr. Steve Smith is Senior Lecturer in Sport Coaching and Psychology Programme Leader for Sport Coaching and Physical Education and Head of Elite Sport Programme Department of Sport, Exercise and Health at the University of Winchester. Steve’s professional focus is exploring how practice environments shape competitive performance. He is especially passionate about sharing the principles of...

Summary: This insightful conversation on the Trainers Bullpen delves into the most recent critical research on knife attacks, particularly focusing on the dynamics of close-range concealed knife assaults and their implications for law enforcement training. Dr. Michael Kantor discusses the study he and colleagues conducted - 'Close Quarter Concealed Knife Attacks: How Much Time Do You Have? whi...

Summary: In this episode of the Trainers Bullpen, host Chris Butler speaks with John Schmitt, CEO of Shadowbox LLC, about the critical aspects of training in law enforcement, particularly focusing on decision-making and training fidelity. They explore the nuances of training fidelity, the importance of cognitive skills, and the role of Tactical Decision Games (TDGs) in enhancing decision-making ab...

Summary: In this episode of Trainers Bullpen, host Chris Butler speaks with Dr. Jennifer Prohaska from Tactical Longevity. Dr. Prohaska is a clinical psychologist specializing in law enforcement mental health. They discuss the concept of anti-fragility, the importance of resilience, and the six elements that contribute to developing an anti-fragile mindset. Dr. Prohaska emphasizes the need for pro...

Summary In this episode of Trainer's Bullpen, host Chris Butler welcomes Professor Adam Nichols back to the Bullpen to discuss the concept of mental toughness, particularly in the context of law enforcement training. They explore the definitions of mental toughness and resilience, the importance of developing these traits in high-pressure situations, and the role of coaches in fostering a supp...

Summary: All human responses are the result of the interplay of aperson’s thinking, emoting and behavior. In this episode of the Trainer's Bullpen, host Chris Butler interviews Dr. John Azar-Dickens, a licensed clinical psychologist and police officer, about the important aspects ofoperationalizing realistic and effective deescalation tactics.  They discuss the development and application of the T...

Summary: In this episode of Trainer's Bullpen, host Chris Butler speaks with Dr. Geoffrey Desmoulin about the critical research on prone restraint techniques in law enforcement. They discuss the conflicting views on the safety of these techniques, the physiological risks involved, and the implications of the Bronstein case, which serves as a cautionary tale for law enforcement practices. The c...

Summary In this conversation, Chris Butler and Lon Bartel discuss the critical intersection of human performance research and law enforcement training. They explore the importance of understanding the time it takes for officers to stop shooting in high-stress situations. The conversation includes the critical human factors involved in the stop-shooting process. Bartel shares insights from his rese...

Summary In this episode of the Trainers Bullpen, Chris Butler interviews Brian Moon, a leading expert in naturalistic decision making (NDM). They discuss the importance of NDM in law enforcement, the role of experience and intuition in decision making, and the challenges experts face in articulating their decisions. Brian shares insights from his journey in the field, emphasizing the need for cogn...

Summary: In this episode of the Trainers Bullpen, host Chris Butler welcomes Professor Mark Williams, a leading expert in perceptual cognitive expertise and performance. They discuss the intersection of academic research and law enforcement training, focusing on the most pervasive ‘myths’ surrounding learning and performance. Key topics include the debunking of the 10,000 hour rule, the importance...

Summary In this episode of the Trainer's Bullpen, host Chris Butler speaks with Dr. Glenn Landry, a sleep expert with over 25 years of experience in circadian rhythms and sleep health. They discuss the critical importance of sleep for law enforcement officers, particularly those who work shifts. Dr. Landry shares his personal journey into sleep science, the impact of sleep on cognitive health,...

Summary: In this episode of the Trainer's Bullpen, host Chris Butler interviews Dr. Jeremy Butler, a kinesiology instructor and martial arts expert, about the intersection of martial arts training and law enforcement. They discuss Dr. Butler's background, the impact of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu on police officer confidence and performance, and the findings of his research study on the perceptions of off...

Summary: In this episode of the Trainer's Bullpen, host Chris Butler engages with Scott Sievewright, a leading figure in the field of skill acquisition and coaching in martial arts. They discuss the ecological dynamics approach to training, contrasting it with traditional information processing methods. Scott shares his journey from a conventional coaching background to embracing a technique-less,...

Summary: In this conversation, Chris Butler and Dr. Nick Winkelman, author of 'The Language of Coaching: The Art and Science of Teaching Movement', explore the intersection of coaching language and motor learning, particularly in the context of law enforcement training. They discuss the importance of effective communication in coaching, the impact of language on performance, and the balance betwee...

Summary In this episode of the Trainers Bullpen, host Chris Butler interviews Dr. William Bozeman, a leading expert in law enforcement use of force and injury epidemiology. They discuss the findings of Dr. Bozeman's research on police use of force, particularly focusing on Taser use and Vascular Neck Restraint (VNR). The conversation highlights the importance of understanding the actual rates of i...