Maximizing Law Enforcement Training Using In-Person and Online Learning

March 27, 2025

Law enforcement agencies know the importance of continuous training. Officers must stay sharp, adapt to new threats, and refine their skills to protect themselves, their fellow officers, and their communities. However, many departments struggle to find the time and resources for comprehensive training programs. This is where Tomahawk (and the Tomahawk Institute®) can help, offering a flexible, cost-effective training model that integrates both in-person and online learning to help overcome these hurdles.

The benefits of a hybrid training approach

We put substantial resources and time into developing our complementary online and in-person training programs and believe that using a hybrid approach benefits both the officers and their departments in maintaining and advancing their skills and safety. Such an approach is also a recommended training best practice by the United States Department of Justice¹.

Reinforcing learning for better retention

For many law enforcement skills, hands-on, in-person training is the gold standard. Realistic, team-based training environments allow officers to develop crucial decision-making and tactical abilities. However, online training serves as a valuable reinforcement tool, helping officers retain key concepts over time.

Research shows that spaced repetition and varied learning formats improve long-term retention. We’ve seen firsthand that when officers complete online training before attending an in-person session, they tend to come better prepared, allowing instructors to cover more advanced material in the allotted time.

For example, in our Patrol Officer Tactical Response curriculum, officers participate in intensive, in-person, team-based exercises over several days. To complement this, we offer a 90-minute online module that illustrates and reinforces specific tactics and techniques and is available to the learner at any time either before or after their in-person session. Officers have reported that this blended approach makes them feel more confident in applying the concepts. Data from our learning management system further supports this, showing that, on average, learners spend more than two hours engaging with the 90-minute module, often revisiting key points.

Flexibility for busy law enforcement teams

Law enforcement schedules are unpredictable, making it difficult to coordinate in-person training sessions. Additionally, hands-on training requires significant logistical planning, including safety protocols, venue preparation, and time away from active duty.

Online training helps mitigate these challenges by providing 24/7 access to instructional materials. Officers can train at their convenience, ensuring their skills remain sharp without disrupting their essential duties. By integrating online components into a broader training strategy, agencies can maintain a culture of continuous learning rather than treating training as a one-time event.

Accommodating different learning styles

Officers have diverse learning preferences. Some excel in hands-on, tactical training, while others absorb information more effectively through visual media and interactive resources. A hybrid training model provides the best of both worlds.

Through our online platform, the Tomahawk Institute®, officers can engage with interactive modules, review key concepts at their own pace, and access additional educational resources. In-person training then builds on this foundation, reinforcing muscle memory and honing decision-making skills in real-world scenarios.