POLICE OPERATIONS SIMULATOR IN THE CONTEXT OF EVALUATION RESEARCH CARRIED OUT AT THE POLICE ACADEMY IN SZCZYTNO IN 2014–2019

Abstract

The main objective of the article is to present the results of the evaluation carried out among participants of a specialist training course for police operations commanders which was offered by the Police Academy in Szczytno in 2014–2019. The course in question uses a police operations simulator as a modern technology tool for responding to emergencies. Both the functionality of the simulator and a modern form of simulation training, which has replaced the previous theoretical work based on paper maps, have completely changed the methods employed for in-service training, thanks to which teaching outcomes can be achieved more effectively, and police offi cers’ skills can be developed and refi ned with practice. The use of the police operations simulator for training purposes improves police command and control systems and increases the level of in-service training received by commanding offi cers, which in turn results in an effective management of human and material resources while carrying out police operations targeted at the maintenance of public order and safety at major events, including sports events, public gatherings and ceremonies, and any different forms of disturbance to public order. Evaluated have been the following issues: assessment of the training course curriculum, the knowledge and practical skills acquired during the course, and the level of satisfaction of the respondents with their participation in the course. Of key importance has been to identify the extent to which the Police Academy’s training efforts and research projects in the area of internal security affect the development of the system of in-service training offered to police offi cers.