OFFICER: Training Tips - Mar 26th, 2026

The Police Leadership Gap and OFFICER's Other Top Training Stories

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EDITOR'S NOTE

Police Chief Training vs. Experience

Hiring a police chief is one of the most consequential decisions a city will make, yet smaller agencies often face a limited candidate pools that can leave new leaders with little command experience.

In a contributed piece, Fletcher, Oklahoma Police Chief Jason DeLonais examines why supplemental training and mentorship are critical for preparing chiefs to meet modern legal, operational and leadership expectations

"The issue is not the capability or intent of newly appointed chiefs. It is the structural reality that minimum qualifications do not equal operational preparedness."

Check out his piece, plus OFFICER's other top training stories:

Part 1 and Part 2 of new contributor Keith Hanson's look at why firearm skills don't transfer.
the benefits of contrarians in police training.

Plus, nominate a deserving officer for OFFICER's 2026 Valor Awards.

—Joe Vince
News Editor

Operational Domains and Training Disciplines: The Limits of Adaptability and Skill Transfer in Interdisciplinary Firearms Training

When it comes to learning how to use a firearm, it's important to recognize the distinct disciplines within the training and how they're shaped by unique operational contexts, equipment and performance demands, making skill transferability limited.

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