Since October of 2023, the Maryland-National Capital Emergency Response System (MDERS) has collaborated with the Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD) to enhance their Patrol Scenario Training (PST) program. This joint effort aims to modernize the training methods used at the police academy, ensuring new officers are better prepared to serve their communities and keep themselves, colleagues, and members of the public safe.

PSTs are the final step in the PGPD Training Academy that evaluates student officers’ ability to demonstrate mastery of the skills learned throughout the nine-month program. These scenario-based assessments test student officers’ proficiency in meeting the Maryland Police and Corrections Training Commission’s (MPCTC) required objectives. PSTs simulate real-life situations that officers are likely to encounter in the field such as domestic violence, disorderly persons, citizen and business robberies, and many more. This provides a practical, hands-on assessment of their skills and decision-making abilities.

Recognizing the need for a more efficient and objective evaluation process, PGPD partnered with MDERS to update various aspects of the PST program. The key initiatives included:

• Increasing Objectivity in Grading: The new system aims to standardize the grading process, ensuring that all student officers are assessed fairly and consistently.
• Reducing Evaluation Time: Streamlining the evaluation process will allow instructors to spend less time on assessments and more time on training and development.
• Creating an Easy-to-Use System: The revamped PST program is designed to be user-friendly, enabling academy staff to easily implement and use it while effectively tracking all met and unmet objectives.
• System Storage and Accessibility: The new system saves all evaluations on a shared folder, enhancing accessibility and organization.
• Changing, Removing, and Creating New Scenarios: The new program provides different scenarios than the last several years of testing. This allowed for a greater focus on de-escalation tactics and the ability of student officers to provide medical care to role players.

The collaboration between MDERS and PGPD represents a significant step forward in police training methodology. By incorporating these improvements, the PST program becomes more efficient and effective in preparing student officers for the complexities of their roles. Enhanced objectivity ensures that evaluations are fair, while reduced evaluation times and ease of use allow for a more focused training environment. Additionally, MDERS and PGPD staff had the opportunity to present this new program during the 2024 Maryland Emergency Management Association (MDEMA) Annual Symposium in May, providing an overview of the challenges faced and problems solved.

As the revamped PST program is fully implemented, PGPD and MDERS will continue to monitor its effectiveness and make any necessary adjustments. This commitment to continuous improvement underscores the dedication of both organizations to providing the highest standard of training for law enforcement officers. By focusing on objectivity, efficiency, and usability, this initiative promises to better prepare new officers to serve and protect their communities safely and effectively.