PoliceTrainingHQ - Episode 6 - If I Were in Charge: Recruits on Real Training That Works

In this episode, Walt Bauer sits down at Sul Ross University with two police recruits and a university officer to talk about their week of training with Police Training HQ. The group reflects on the scenarios, teach-backs, and active learning strategies used during the week—methods grounded in the PTHQ model of Autonomy, Relevance, and Practical Application.

Walt turns the table and asks: “If you were in charge of training, what would you do?” Their unanimous answer? Scenarios. The conversation dives into why hands-on, realistic training beats lecture-heavy instruction and how it better prepares officers for the street. Whether you’re a cadet, trainer, or veteran officer, this episode is a powerful reminder of how much more we can learn when training mirrors the real world.