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delinquency, sociology, psychology, political science, criminal and constitutional law, civil rights, the use of force, laws of arrest, search and seizure, criminal investigation, domestic violence, and cultural diversity. Beyond these rather academic fields of study, the recruits are also trained to develop proficiencies in other practice-oriented areas such as effective communication and interviewing, computer software applications, first aid, offensive and defensive tactics, defensive driving, weapon and firearms proficiency, and a host of other similar psychomotor skills.
Despite the importance of each of these content areas, the ability to synthesize and pragmatically apply the various disciplines necessitates a host of competencies in areas related to critical thinking, decision making, problem solving, and effective communication skills. These underscore the importance of not just what is learned but how and why it is learned. In effect, recruits must not only possess the ability to synthesize what has been learned but also be able to pragmatically apply it within the field, highlighting the importance for developing a recruit's situational awareness, tactical vigilance, and the exercise of good judgment and discretion. Speaking to the importance of police training, Bennett and Hess (2004) wrote that a police department's “efficiency and effectiveness is directly related to the amount and quality of training it provides (p. 222). Stated more profoundly, Holden (1994) contended not only that training is “necessary for the fulfillment of employee potential” but that without it “the best of officers is inadequate at best, incompetent at worst” (p. 282). Without question, the increasing attention that the subject of training is receiving, from both the community and the police themselves, underscores its importance. Addressing this importance, Conser and Russell (2000) noted that “it is readily apparent that the tasks and responsibilities of law enforcement officials are so complex and burdened with liability that the need for training is unquestioned” (p. 323). Given the emphasis placed on training and the inadequate techniques used in the past, Holden suggested that because policing involves “the art of maintaining order in an ever-changing society…not only must training programs for new officers be designed for today's world, but the organization must acknowledge the obsolescence of old training