ABSTRACT
This chapter comprises personal reflections on the development of a training program for mid-level command staff and analysts. While recruits get academy training that focuses on the basics, and leaders have access to executive seminars that develop their strategic perspective, the ranks from Sergeant to Captain/Inspector are often forgotten. This is challenging to police organizational effectiveness because they are frequently asked to lead crime and disorder initiatives with little more than good intentions and a vague understanding of the SARA model (Scanning, Analysis, Response, and Assessment) from their promotion exam materials. The training course in question was developed to enhance the relatively abstract SARA model with specific practices and checklists more suited to action-oriented commanders, and with a view to introducing more structured working practices (the PANDA model and associated checklists) into police organizational behavior. The PANDA model (Problem scan, Analyze problem, Nominate strategy, Deploy strategy, Assess outcomes) and checklists have now been adopted by several police organizations. The course integrates a harm-focused and intelligence-led ethos into components of problem-oriented policing, and it weaves an evidence-based policing philosophy throughout the course. The need for the course, the response to this need, and the challenges of integrating an evidence-based approach into a practical training program are discussed.
