Scenario training in police academies: developing students’ higher-level thinking skills

Staff at Idaho Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) developed a Problem-based Learning Exercise (PBLE) to help student officers develop subject-specific policing knowledge as well as higher-level skills such as decision-making, problem-solving and collaboration. Evaluation of the effectiveness of the PBLE by students and training staff indicates that the program is achieving its intended goals. This article describes the development of Idaho’s problem-based learning program, the educational framework of the PBLE, and the view of students regarding the program’s value. The article also includes suggestions from POST staff for agencies considering developing a similar program of their own.