Fourth, and last pilot training within the FIRST-TAC project held in Police School in Slupsk
Fourth, and last pilot training within the Erasmus+ project Development of Joint Curriculum for First Responders on the Use of Force and First Aid Tactical Procedures (FIRST-TAC) was held at the Police School in Slupsk, Poland, 4 to 8 November 2024.
Police Academy - The First Croatian Police Officer as the leading institution, has been carrying out FIRST-TAC project since September 2023 with its partners, the Agency for Education and Professional Training Mostar, the Lithuanian Police School and the Police School in Slupsk, Poland. The project is focused on two areas important for the daily work of police officers - the use of force and tactical medicine. During the past year, experts from partner institutions created an extensive training package that includes the curriculum, as well as material for both learners and trainers. They also conducted three pilot trainings - in Croatia, Lithuania and Bosnia and Herzegovina - during which the curriculum and learning/teaching materials were tested and gradually improved. The ultimate goal of the project is to improve and standardize conduct of first responders when using force and providing first aid - through the exchange of experiences and the harmonization of national programs in partner countries.
Before arriving at the Police School in Slupsk, the learners had the obligation to refresh their theoretical knowledge in the virtual classroom on the e-learning platform of the Police Academy - The First Croatian Police Officer. This provided the basis for conducting practical exercises, through which learners were then guided by the trainers from partner countries. During the first four days of the training, the focus was on the use of force, while on the fourth day the exercises were focused on tactical medicine and first aid. On the last, fifth day of training, four complex simulation exercises were conducted, which included theoretical knowledge and practical skills acquired during online learning and face-to-face exercises.
On the last day of the training, an evaluation of the training was carried out as well. The goal was to assess the satisfaction of the learners with the learning materials and the implementation of the training. Such evaluations were conducted after each pilot training and were an important tool in shaping the final version of the curriculum and materials for learners and trainers.
Furthermore, since the training last week was the last within the project, two focus groups were held at the Police School in Slupsk as well, with both trainers and learners. The goal was to gain additional insight into the effect that the pilot trainings and the selected teaching/learning methodology have on the participants.
The developed curriculum and materials for learners and trainers will now be combined into a comprehensive manual and translated into the national languages of project partners. This material outcome of the project, along with the rich knowledge and experience that the participants have gathered during all of the project activities so far, has the potential to bring about a qualitative change in teaching of the use of force and tactical medicine in all partner countries.
