A quiet revolution: expansive learning in firearms training

Our paper considers the lessons learnt from collaborative developments in firearms instructor training based at the Tactical Firearms Unit at Kent Police College. In response to the demand for increased accountability and professionalization of Police Firearms officers, a joint project between Canterbury Christ Church University and Kent Tactual Firearms Unit developed training practices in order to promote and develop an “Expansive learning Environment”.

In our paper, we consider the notion of expansive learning in a context where, we argue, practices have often been unhelpfully restrictive. We draw on interviews and experience which suggest innovative training practices which can help firearms officers and their trainers to develop a stronger sense of identity, a greater ability to develop professionally and an enhanced capacity to work more collaboratively. We focus in particular on the ways in which these developments enhance officers’ ability to defend their own practices and respond to demands of increased accountability. Our conclusion discusses the lessons learnt from the project both from the point of view of firearms officer training and from that of HE delivery in this professional context.