Gold medal policing: Operational readiness and performance excellence

• In Event: POLWG Panel 12: Defining the Professional Police: Readiness, Recruitment, and Reform

Abstract

To produce peak police performers, identifying the skills that set the best officers apart is essential. Like elite athletes, police must excel under pressure. This study, grounded in Olympic-level performance research, integrated physical, technical, and mental readiness to enhance frontline officers’ consistent performance.
The study examined 81 “excellent” Canadian officers, anonymously identified by peers and supervisors across seven units, including Patrol, Tactical, and Coach Officers. Using the Operational Readiness Framework revealed mental readiness (44%) as most critical for peak performance, followed by technical (30%) and physical (26%) readiness. Mental readiness increased by 10% from 2003-2019, while the other two factors slightly decreased.
Sixty police-specific mental readiness practices were identified, including focus, mental preparation, commitment. Confidence, derived from quality training and camaraderie, varied across units. Distraction control and evaluation practices differed—tactical officers preferred informal debriefs, while school resource officers valued public feedback. Technical readiness emphasized law proficiency and conflict de-escalation, while physical readiness involved safety, wellness, and vehicle operations.
The study uncovered 45 performance blocks and highlighted trends such as balancing team-individual, workout-burnout, and AI-privacy. Ten recommendations were offered to improve recruitment, training, and assessments. This operational readiness research extends to high-risk professions like surgeons and air traffic controllers.

Author

• Judy McDonald, University of Ottawa