Leadership and Tactical Training for First Responders

The Trainings

Leadership of Heroic Proportions

The skill of a true leader as described by Steven Press field in his book

“The Battle of Thermopylae” is depicted as this...

“To prepare those under his command, at all stages of engagement—before, during, and after—from becoming so overcome by terror or anger that emotion usurps dominion of the mind. To fire their valor when it flags and rein in their fury when it threatens to take them out of hand.”

The HMIC “Leading from the Front Line--thematic inspective” (3.78) states, “there is scope, and indeed a need, to review promotion processes and incorporate more emphasis on the human qualities needed to lead others as opposed to the current emphasis on process management and understanding of management techniques. These are of little value if they can’t be translated practically and confidently into dynamic leadership in the operational environment.”

Paul Rickett, Borough Commander
The Metropolitan Police

Karen Lansing, in her presentation, “Leadership of Heroic Proportions,” shares how the vision of leadership within this postmodern era has shifted within Law Enforcement. This is a universal trend and not unique only to the UK. Thankfully, we are beginning to understand that what we have denied ourselves is weakening us. The adoption of a “business model” approach to a career that was once considered a “calling” has charted a divergent course whereby the heart and soul of many agencies have been left behind. Exceptional leadership can accomplish what Press field has described and what the HMIC is calling for. This presentation is one more voice being joined with others, calling for a refocusing of the vision of true leadership which, of its own accord, strives for excellence irrespective of rank.

Audience Reviews

“The second guest at the conference was Karen Lansing, an interesting lady who gave a presentation on “Leadership of Heroic Proportions.”

A visually stunning event, Karen’s presentation was both entertaining and challenging and made useful connections between well-being, stress, training, leadership, and efficiency.”

POLFED Conference 2009

Dear Karen,

I am writing to thank you for attending the Conflict Management Conference 2008 and presenting such a fascinating speech on leadership. You managed to inspire and capture the spirit of the Conference by delivering both a thought-provoking and inspiring speech in which you provided evidence of leadership combined with scientific analysis, which I am certain will be utilized by many in the audience in the coming years.

I am very heartened that there are people such as yourself who are prepared to invest in others for the benefit of society and to, in turn, invest in the development of future leaders to ensure that issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder are suffered by as few as possible in the future.

Ian Arundale, Chief Constable

Chairman - ACPO Working Group on Police Use of Firearms

Dear Karen,

Having now returned from our Annual conference in Bournemouth, I would like to take the opportunity to thank you personally for participating in the “And Miles to Go Before I Sleep” session on Tuesday, 18th of May 2010.

The feedback indicates that this session was very well received by the delegates, helping to make this year’s Conference a successful event. I would like to thank you once again for taking the time to attend; your contribution made this a very informative session for all...”

Paul McKeever,

Chairman - Police Federation of England & Wales

Karen,

I listened to your presentation at the Conference yesterday and was completely blown away! I recognized in your presentation so much of what I had been looking for. I see around me some great leaders, however, I also see many who see process, policy, and theoretical change management models and little else. When I talk with my firearms officers that is certainly not the leadership they want. They are looking for the clear leadership, support, and understanding that you were describing yesterday.

Thank you for revitalizing at least one senior(ish) superintendent and re-igniting my enthusiasm for true leadership, even if it does mean that I am seen by some of my colleagues as a little out of step or somewhat of a maverick.

Dave Holdway, Superintendent (UK)

Head of Operations & Armed Policing
Great leaders in my “Good Guy Book”

Dimly lit stage with a large screen displaying a photo of three people and the text "Great Leaders In My 'Good Guy Book.'" Stage lighting is purple and pink.

Mental Preparation for Lethal Contact

This training is designed for any Officers or Military Assets who will be operating in roles that can evolve into potentially lethal and / or lethal contact encounters. This training is also highly recommended for Command Staff and Leadership.

Person in tactical gear lying prone on the ground, aiming a scoped rifle at an outdoor range with grassy surroundings.

Course goals

1. To render scientifically based education on what can occur physically and mentally in the heat of lethal contact (forewarned is forearmed).

2. To address the “unspoken question” everyone carries inside regarding the cost of taking a life.

3. To train on how to bring down physiological stress symptoms that can facilitate “sensory gating” that either restricts or shuts down the reception of critical sensory input.

4. To educate delegates on duty-induced trauma that can develop into PTSD and most importantly, how this condition can see full recovery with proper treatment.

5. To provide solid guidelines for delegates on how to be the “1st & 3rd Line” in attending to any team member/s in the wake of a lethal contact situation.

Course Objectives

The focus of this course is to provide concrete, science-based, tactically practical information and skills that can dovetail with stress exposure, and scenario-based training. The objective is to better prepare delegates mentally for “real-time,” potentially lethal/lethal contact encounters.

There should come out of this instruction an increased awareness regarding early warning indicators that delegates can identify for themselves so they can address any trauma symptoms at an earlier stage. Additionally, this course will give systemic, agency-wide suggestions (i.e. to Peers, Supervisors, Leadership, et al) on how to attend proactively to the post-incident aftercare needs of Assets who have been involved in high-risk/lethal encounters.

Person in camouflage pants and a helmet jumps over a concrete barrier outdoors.

Please Note

This course requires 8 hours to complete (including breaks and lunch).

Audience Feedback

Please Note: Officer’s names withheld for security reasons

“I must confess the moment Karen began talking, I instantly thought, “Oh no, another American export employed to tell us how bad we are!”

I couldn’t have been more wrong! Her presentation was excellent and I consider it to be the most useful and relevant piece of training I have received it in years. It was modern and appropriate in content and her operational experience is very relevant and impressive.

My only criticism is the amount of time given...NOT ENOUGH!

All officers Should benefit from her presentation.”

A person in a uniform carrying a tool runs past a brick building with red doors.

“Fascinating subject--Well presented. Karen does need a lesson in spelling (UK style) and drinking (Cop / Peeler style).

Excellent knowledge. Well imparted -- Lesson learned!

Task Saturation Training

Course Goals

1. To define task saturation and identify what factors can create it.

2. To illustrate problems that can grow out of this condition once it’s occurring.

3. To educate delegates on ways to “pull out of the downward spiral” task saturation instigates.

Vehicles engulfed in flames at night, surrounded by debris.

This Training is Designed for Gold, Silver & Bronze Commanders

Course Objectives

This training gives a name to something that can happen to any who are exposed to fast ‘incoming’ multiple points of input over a sustained period of time. The increased awareness of this condition can assist in and encourage better tactical command awareness and therefore, bring about better strategic planning to avert task saturation as well as less collateral damage to Assets on the ground.

There should come out of this instruction an increased awareness regarding early warning indicators that delegates can identify for themselves when / if they begin to experience task saturation during prolonged duties as Gold / Silver / Bronze commanders.

This course can be a stand-alone lecture, or it can be used to coordinate/complement with Hydra-Minerva Public Order training.

Please Note

This course requires 2.5 hours to complete (including 1 break).
Task Saturation / Decisions Under Pressure Feedback

Task Saturation Audience Reviews

“I must thank you for the continued input of Karen into our APOC (Public Order Commander’s) training.

It’s because of her professionalism that our course is now recognized as one of the best in the UK.”

Insp. Allan Jones QPM

Nighttime scene with a group of silhouetted individuals in front of a fire on the street, with blue and orange lights illuminating the area.

Overcoming the Abyss Training

The Police Service of Northern Ireland

“Karen’s presentation was excellent, and I consider it to be the most useful and relevant piece of training I have received in years. It was modern and appropriate in content and her operational experience is very relevant and impressive. All officers should benefit from her presentation.”

PSNI Officer
Unnamed for security reasons

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Law Enforcement
The Cause & Cure

Three police officers in tactical gear walk across grass, carrying equipment.

Sunlight streams through a barred window casting striped shadows onto a cracked concrete floor in a dim, empty room.

The FBI, San Jose, CA

“Many of the agents commented that they found the material both interesting and informative. The brain scan images assisted in providing a visual reference that made concepts easily understood.”

Bruce J. Gebhardt & Charles Der
(Sp. Agent in Charge) & (Supervisory Sp. Agent)

Israel

“I attended Karen’s presentation at an International congress in Rome. Her was the only one that I did not fall asleep in. Despite the groundbreaking innovations presented in her work, she taught clearly and comprehensively. I have (since Rome) consulted with her regarding patients that I treat who are victims of terrorism, as well as from the Israeli Armed Forces.

Her knowledge and recommendations are especially helpful regarding those in the highly specialized. Commando Units. Her pragmatic approach to treatment goes beyond theory and straight into the eye of that storm we call PTSD.”

Gary Quinn, M.D.
Director, Jerusalem Stress & Trauma Institute
Jerusalem, Israel

Overcoming the Abyss Feedback

“I don’t think Karen could improve on this presentation... It was excellent! Informative, interesting, and very relevant to the specialist officer’s role. Well done Karen! ”

Public Order Commander

“A “clinical subject” is put across interestingly for me as a non-clinical person. Effective use of images, Karen held my attention, got me thinking, and made it clear that PTSD is CURABLE and can even make us better officers once past it. Don’t change a thing!”

Roads Policing Officer

“Karen’s temperament, great humor, and extremely obvious tactical knowledge and experience out on the ground drew me in. Her amazing presentation kept me there. The time just flew in what could have been one miserably boring afternoon. I was sorry to see it end... She IS The Cop Whisperer!

Armed Response Officer

Specifically Coming from UK & N. Ireland Officers...
Aside from some Middle East forces, these Guys are some of the hardest Cop Audiences to please!