Overview

Target Audience: Law Enforcement Instructors, trainers, FTOs, SWAT personnel, corrections staff, probation/parole officers, and others involved in Reality Based Training. While the course will primarily be force-on-force scenarios, the concepts are applicable to nearly any type of scenario-based training environment. Sponsoring Agency: Oregon Force Instructors Association Two-Day Couse: August 25and 26, 2026, 8:00am - 5:00 pm daily Non-member cost includes 1 year of OPOA Membership for qualified applicants. Instructors: Scott Willadsen, DPSST Woodburn Police Department Detective Sergeant Chris Wingo Multnomah County Sheriff's Office instructor Paul Meyer Tigard Police Department Lieutenant Leigh Erickson Course Overview: “Tell me what you had” is one of the most common phrases heard after law enforcement scenarios, and one of the least effective ways to develop decision-making, communication skills, and performance under stress. This two-day instructor development course is designed to help trainers move beyond passive scenario observation and toward purposeful facilitation and evidence-based debriefing methods that improve learning and performance. Students will learn practical methods for facilitating live scenarios, improving student engagement, identifying meaningful learning objectives, and conducting effective debriefs for adult learners. Course content is influenced by the work of Gary Klein’s ShadowBox training principles, Rob Gray’s research on skill acquisition and representative learning design, and Nick Winkelman’s communication and coaching methodologies. Training will include a combination of classroom lecture, guided discussion, and hands-on participation. Students will rotate through roles as officers, instructors, and suspects while practicing facilitation and debriefing techniques in realistic training environments. Topics will include: -Facilitating live scenario-based training -Effective questioning and guided discovery -Communication and coaching strategies -Debriefing techniques for adult learners -Common instructor errors and training scars This course emphasizes high instructor-to-student interaction. Enrollment is limited to 16 students Class Requirements: Participants should be in good physical condition and prepared to engage in light defensive tactics skills, less-lethal, and firearms-based training scenarios. Safety inspections will be conducted on all personnel and equipment prior to training.