The role of coaching in police driver training An IPA study of coaching in a blue light environment

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to explore the potential value of coaching as a learning, method for driver development within police blue light environments. Design/methodology/approach - An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) study was undertaken with a sample of participants who had attended a five-day coaching skills programme run for the Metropolitan Police Driving School, UK advanced driving instructors and a sample of police driving trainees who had been taught using a coaching approach. Findings - The results indicate that the instructors who had taken part in the coaching training identified coaching as being of value in their. work with developing advanced driving skills, specifically in raising awareness of police drivers and reducing drivers' risk-taking behaviour. The trainees indicated that they saw coaching as being of value in their learning in areas such as increased flexibility of approach and a focus on the relationship between attitude and driver behaviour. Research limitations/implications - The study suggested positive benefits based on the experiences of this small sample of police driving instructors and police trainees. As a result, the UK's Association for Chief Police Officers (ACPO) is reviewing the role of coaching for wider application in driver training and for further research on the wider application of coaching as a learning methodology. Originality/value - This is the first empirical study of the application of coaching in a blue light and police driving environment. While further research is required into the impact on safety, the paper suggests coaching may be a useful learning approach to police driver training.