The ILEETA Learning Lab

ILEETA

5.0 (1)
EDUCATION

The Learning Lab is a series of 60 minute interviews with ILEETA Conference presenters discussing the key teaching point takeaways from their conference presentation. These interviews are packed with great content and created to serve as weekly professional development training for ILEETA members.

MAR 5

Team One Network Shotgun Instructor Workshop - Mike Johnson

Send us Fan Mail Mike Johnson joins the ILEETA Learning Lab to preview his 2026 conference course: Team One Network Shotgun Instructor Workshop. In this conversation, Mike explains why the patrol shotgun still matters in a rifle-dominant era, how instructors can make the shotgun more “shooter friendly” by teaching recoil management and balance, and how to build training that develops confident, competent shotgun users. He also discusses mission-driven long gun selection (shotgun vs patrol rifle), load management, efficient reload concepts (including keeping the gun “topped off”), and why instructor development must move past “information regurgitation” and focus on the why behind techniques. This episode is built for three audiences: Attendees deciding what to take at the conferenceTrainers on the fence about registering who need stronger long gun capabilityInstructors who cannot attend this year, but want immediate training valueCOURSE CONTEXT Course Title: Team One Network Shotgun Instructor Workshop Instructor: Mike Johnson Course Length: 3 hours 45 minutes Registration: Required Booth: 232 Course Description: This course will refine the skills of police shotgun instructors, focusing on the teaching skills necessary to develop and run tactical shotgun programs that maximize the capabilities of this weapon. Instructor Bio: Mike has 50 years of law enforcement experience and recently retired from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. He has been a firearms instructor since 1984 and is certified in handgun, shotgun, rifle, and select fire weapons. Mike is an adjunct instructor for Team One Network and the NRA Law Enforcement Division, and serves on the board of the International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors. TOPICS DISCUSSED Shotgun vs patrol rifle: why it’s not either/orMission-driven long gun selection (distance vs close work)Recoil management: making the shotgun more shooter friendlyInstructor priorities: platform, stance, balance, and confidenceKeeping the gun fed: “shoot one, load one” and topping offCombat/emergency loading with efficiency and reduced errorsWhy most officers avoid the shotgun and how instructors fix that“Why” based instruction vs information regurgitationWhat instructors will walk out with in a 3:45 blockKEY TAKEAWAYS The shotgun is still a critical tool for close-range problems, but it is mission dependent.Most “shotgun hurts” issues are instructor-solvable through platform, stance, and recoil mitigation.Shotgun training must include load management and efficient reload concepts, not just shooting.The best instructors teach the “why,” not just the “what.”CONNECT WITH TEAM ONE NETWORK Website: https://www.teamonenetwork.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teamonenetwork/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teamonenetwork/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/team-one-network/

24 min
MAR 3

Gap-Free Narrative™, Report Review for Supervisors - Al Bello

Send us Fan Mail Al Bello will present Gap-Free Narrative™, Report Review for Supervisors at the 2026 ILEETA Conference and Expo in St. Louis, 16–21 March 2026. 👉 https://www.ileeta.org/conference/ A NOTE FROM THE LEARNING LAB ILEETA Deputy Executive Director Joe Willis sat down with Al Bello to discuss a topic that impacts every call, every case, and every courtroom appearance: the quality and completeness of police narratives. Al explains why most “report writing” instruction misses the mark by focusing on grammar and sentence structure instead of what actually protects cases: chronology, integrity, completeness, and defensibility. He also breaks down how a standardized checklist approach helps supervisors review reports consistently, reduce rework, and close the gaps that defense attorneys exploit. This conversation provides value whether you are attending the conference or not. It will challenge how you think about report review, supervisory liability, and the chain reaction from incident to testimony. COURSE CONTEXT Course Title: Gap-Free Narrative™, Report Review for Supervisors Instructor: Al Bello Course Length: 3 hours 45 minutes Event: 2026 ILEETA Conference and Expo Location: St. Louis, Missouri | 16–21 March 2026 ABOUT THE CONVERSATION Supervisors approve reports they were not present for, yet their signature carries real weight. Al teaches a practical, repeatable method for review that focuses on whether the narrative contains what it must contain: probable cause foundations, key decision points, supporting personnel involvement, victim intent, and documentation that holds up under scrutiny. Instead of “write better,” this approach answers a more useful question: “Does this narrative contain the parts that make it defensible and complete?” Al also connects the idea to a bigger truth for trainers and leaders: policing is a system. What happens in the field connects to the report, and the report connects to testimony. TOPICS DISCUSSED Why grammar is rarely what loses cases in courtThe supervisor’s role in standardization and risk reductionChecklist-based report review vs traditional narrative coachingProbable cause articulation and chronological integrityVictim intent, complaints, and follow-up efficiencyDocumenting specialty responders without overstepping expertise“Ninety percent solutions” when the reviewer was not on sceneHow report quality affects investigations, prosecution, and credibilityClosing gaps that create unnecessary liability and rework CONNECT WITH AL BELLO LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/al-bello-msctrm-%E2%94%83-phd-candidate-a50a9125/ Website: www.offsetconsulting.us Company: Offset Consulting / Offset Tactical ABOUT THE ILEETA LEARNING LAB The ILEETA Learning Lab features conversations with conference instructors and training leaders to share insight, experience, and practical ideas that inspire excellence in law enforcement training. #InspireExcellence #TribeOfTrainers #ILEETA2026 #Inspiration

40 min
MAR 2

Weapons-Based Grappling - Chris Mandigma

Send us Fan Mail Chris Mandigma and Kenny Bigbee Jr. will present Weapons-Based Grappling at the 2026 ILEETA Conference & Expo in St. Louis, 16–21 March 2026. 👉 https://www.ileeta.org/conference/ A NOTE FROM THE LEARNING LAB ILEETA Deputy Executive Director Joe Willis sat down with Chris Mandigma of Tirsia Tactical to discuss Weapons-Based Grappling and why traditional training often leaves a dangerous gap between firearms skills and close-quarters survival. In this conversation, Chris breaks down the reality that most academies spend minimal time on weapon retention and even less on ground survival with a firearm or edged weapon. When fights go to the ground, officers must be able to retain, access, and deploy their weapons decisively. This discussion provides value whether you are attending the conference or not. It reframes how combatives, weapon access, and grappling should integrate into modern law enforcement training. COURSE CONTEXTCourse Title: Weapons-Based Grappling Instructors: Chris Mandigma & Kenny Bigbee Jr. Course Length: 3 hours 45 minutes Event: 2026 ILEETA Conference & Expo Location: St. Louis, Missouri | 16–21 March 2026 🗓️ Find this course on the conference schedule: [Insert Schedule Link Here] ABOUT THE CONVERSATIONWeapons-Based Grappling addresses one of the most undertrained realities in policing: what happens when the fight collapses to the ground and weapons are involved. In this Learning Lab interview, Chris discusses: The training gap between firearms qualification and weapon retentionWhy ground survival skills must include weapon access and protectionIntegrating pistol and knife awareness into grappling systemsThe difference between sport grappling and weapons-aware grapplingRetention principles from standing to grounded positionsWhy decisiveness under pressure matters more than complexityBuilding scalable training programs for agencies with limited mat timeChris emphasizes that weapon-based encounters are dynamic and chaotic. Officers must be prepared to transition between control, retention, and deployment seamlessly. This is not about adding more techniques. It is about building systems that account for weapons in every phase of the fight. TOPICS DISCUSSEDWeapon retention realities Ground survival with firearms Knife awareness in close quarters Sport vs operational grappling Standing to ground transitions Integrating combatives with firearms training Training decisiveness under pressure Building scalable agency programs CONNECT WITH CHRIS MANDIGMAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tirsiatactical/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrismandigma/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@tirsiatraining Website: https://www.tirsiatactical.com/ Company: Tirsia Tactical WATCH OR LISTEN🎥 YouTube – Full Learning Lab Interview [Insert YouTube Link Here] 🎧 Podcast – ILEETA Learning Lab https://www.ileeta.org/learning-lab/ Also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and major platforms.

31 min
MAR 1

Reality Check: Principle-Based Performance Under Pressure - Jay Cooper

Send us Fan Mail Jay Cooper will present Reality Check: Principle-Based Performance Under Pressure at the 2026 ILEETA Conference & Expo in St. Louis, 16–21 March 2026. 👉 https://www.ileeta.org/conference/ A NOTE FROM THE LEARNING LAB ILEETA Deputy Executive Director Joe Willis sat down with Jay Cooper for a Learning Lab conversation centered on one core truth: Pressure doesn’t make people worse. It makes them honest. Jay breaks down how performance often fails not from bad intentions, but from cognitive overload in high-stress moments. He offers a principle-based framework trainers can teach and professionals can apply to stay grounded, adaptable, and articulate when decisions have real consequences. This conversation provides value whether you are attending the conference or not. It delivers practical tools you can use immediately to train thinking, decision-making, and composure under pressure. COURSE CONTEXT Course Title: Reality Check: Principle-Based Performance Under Pressure Instructor: Jay Cooper Course Length: 1 hour 45 minutes Event: 2026 ILEETA Conference & Expo Location: St. Louis, Missouri | 16–21 March 2026 🗓️ Find this course on the conference schedule: [Insert Schedule Link Here] ABOUT THE CONVERSATION Reality Check bridges the gap between training and real performance under pressure. Jay focuses on how we think, decide, and act when time is short, stress is high, and outcomes carry long-term consequences. In this Learning Lab interview, Jay discusses: Why most failures are not bad intentions, but cognitive collapse under stressKnown vs unknown risk: known keeps you grounded, unknown keeps you adaptableWhy pressure training must be progressive (and why pressure must come down, not only go up)The Reality Check “three anchors”:Map vs terrain (when training does not match reality)Cognitive collapse under stressArticulation: if you can explain your decision, you’re usually making better decisionsA practical framework for trainers and leaders:Perception (recognize what matters)Posture (balanced and functional, physically and mentally)Permission (legal, ethical, moral)Why communication cannot be treated as an afterthought: “Talk them down first” only works if we actually train the thinking and talking skills behind it.Jay also leaves trainers with a reminder worth repeating: Policing is people. We represent the people, and the people we represent are us. TOPICS DISCUSSED Principle-based decision-making under pressure Known vs unknown risk Progressive stress exposure Map vs terrain training gaps Cognitive overload and performance collapse Perception, posture, permission Legal, ethical, moral articulation Training communication as a skill Human behavior under uncertainty CONNECT WITH JAY COOPER Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realitycheckjay/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/realitycheckjay/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/RealityCheckJay Preferred home base: https://www.instagram.com/realitycheckjay/ WATC

37 min
MAR 1

Ruger AR556 Armorer Course - Robert Cole

Send us Fan Mail Robert Cole will present the Ruger AR556 Armorer Course at the 2026 ILEETA Conference & Expo in St. Louis, 16–21 March 2026. 👉 https://www.ileeta.org/conference/ A NOTE FROM THE LEARNING LAB ILEETA Deputy Executive Director Joe Willis sat down with Robert Cole, Director of Training for Team One Network, to discuss what makes armorer training both highly technical and uniquely instructional. This is more than a maintenance class. It is about structured process, mechanical mastery, and developing the ability to inspect, troubleshoot, and certify duty rifles with confidence. In this conversation, Robert explains why armorer instruction requires a disciplined, repeatable teaching methodology and why mastering the mechanics behind performance elevates every firearms instructor. COURSE CONTEXTCourse Title: Ruger AR556 Armorer Course Instructor: Robert Cole Course Length: 7 hours 45 minutes Requires Registration: Yes Booth: 232 Event: 2026 ILEETA Conference & Expo Location: St. Louis, Missouri | 16–21 March 2026 🗓️ Find this course on the conference schedule: [Insert Schedule Link Here] ABOUT THE CONVERSATIONIn this Learning Lab interview, Robert breaks down: Field stripping vs armorer-level detailed disassemblyInspection points and serviceability standardsTroubleshooting logic and corrective actionsWhy firearms instructors should understand internal weapon mechanicsThe EDIP instructional model (Explain, Demonstrate, Imitate, Practice)Developing armorer instructors through repetition and refinementWhy you should always be your own harshest critic as an instructorArmorer training is precise. It is structured. It is repeatable. And it directly impacts officer safety and operational reliability. CONNECT WITH TEAM ONE NETWORKWebsite: https://www.teamonenetwork.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teamonenetwork/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teamonenetwork/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/team-one-network/ Visit Team One Network at Booth 232 during the Expo. WATCH OR LISTEN🎥 YouTube – Full Learning Lab Interview [Insert YouTube Link Here] 🎧 Podcast – ILEETA Learning Lab https://www.ileeta.org/learning-lab/ Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and major platforms. ABOUT THE ILEETA LEARNING LABThe ILEETA Learning Lab features conversations with conference instructors and training leaders to share insight, experience, and practical ideas that inspire excellence in law enforcement training. #InspireExcellence #TribeOfTrainers #ILEETA2026 #Inspiration

30 min
FEB 27

Smart, Not Soft: The EQ Shield in Corrections - Michael Cantrell

Send us Fan Mail Michael Cantrell will present Smart, Not Soft: The EQ Shield in Corrections at the 2026 ILEETA Conference & Expo in St. Louis, 16–21 March 2026. 👉 https://www.ileeta.org/conference/ A NOTE FROM THE LEARNING LAB ILEETA Deputy Executive Director Joe Willis sat down with Michael Cantrell for a powerful Learning Lab conversation centered on one critical truth: Every incident is emotional. Drawing from more than 30 years in corrections, national-level instruction, and leadership experience, Michael reframes Emotional Intelligence not as a soft skill, but as protective equipment. He explains how officers already use emotional intelligence daily. We just call it sixth sense, experience, or reading the room. This conversation speaks to three audiences: Those attending the conference Those considering whether to attend Those who may never make it to a conference but still deserve meaningful insight Whether you work in corrections, patrol, supervision, or instructor development, this discussion challenges how you think about readiness, resilience, and leadership. COURSE CONTEXT Course Title: Smart, Not Soft: The EQ Shield in Corrections Instructor: Michael Cantrell Course Length: 3 hours 45 minutes Event: 2026 ILEETA Conference & Expo Location: St. Louis, Missouri | 16–21 March 2026 🗓️ Find this course on the conference schedule: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1AwYa8qRDeQpIwOmxsQkeTTLf_sgketxc/edit ABOUT THE CONVERSATION Emotional Intelligence is often misunderstood in public safety professions. It is not softness. It is awareness, regulation, and relationship management under pressure. In this Learning Lab interview, Michael discusses: How emotional intelligence already exists in corrections culture The four domains of EQ: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship management Why emotional numbness and irritability are early warning signs The concept of EQ as a “shield” for mental health and operational effectiveness How leadership behavior cascades through an organization Why kicking the trash can at the top impacts everyone below Pre-shift mental preparation as readiness, not wellness fluff Post-shift decompression as a professional responsibility Why asking “How are you?” and stopping to listen matters Michael also poses a powerful challenge for instructors and leaders: If every incident is emotional, are we training our people to manage emotion as deliberately as we train tactics? If not, why not? TOPICS DISCUSSED Emotional Intelligence in corrections and law enforcement Suicide risk and turnover in high-stress professions Emotional numbness and burnout indicators Leadership impact on organizational climate Pre-shift readiness protocols Stress inoculation and cortisol management Decompression and transition home Instructor responsibility in modeling emotional awareness Power Skills and social skill development CONNECT WITH MICHAEL CANTRELL Podcast: Prison Officer Podcast Company: Command Presence Book: Power Skills Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@theprisonofficerpodcast Facebook: https://www.youtube.com/@theprisonofficerpodcast LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/theprisonofficer WATCH OR LISTEN 🎥 YouTube – Full Learning Lab Interview https://youtu.be/AKfZAB2xS9U 🎧 Podcast – ILEETA Learning Lab https://www.ileeta.org/learning-lab/ Also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and major platforms. ABOUT THE ILEETA LEARNING LAB The ILEETA Learning Lab features conversations with conference instructors and training leaders to share insight, experience, and practical ideas that inspire excellence in law enforcement training. These conv

33 min
FEB 17

Training Scars: Ninjas, Zombies, and Smart Watches (Matt Bloodgood)

Send us Fan Mail Matt Bloodgood will present Training Scars: Ninjas, Zombies, and Smart Watches at the 2026 ILEETA Conference & Expo in St. Louis, 16–21 March 2026. 👉 https://www.ileeta.org/conference/ A NOTE FROM THE LEARNING LAB ILEETA Deputy Executive Director Joe Willis sat down with Matt Bloodgood for a powerful Learning Lab conversation centered on one uncomfortable but necessary question: Are we unintentionally harming performance through our training? Drawing from emerging international research, real-world case analysis, and decades of experience in firearms, use of force, and instructor development, Matt challenges instructors to examine whether policies, traditions, habits, and even technology are creating unintended consequences. This conversation provides value whether you are attending the conference or not. It will challenge how you think about training design, realism, safety, and instructor responsibility. COURSE CONTEXT Course Title: Training Scars: Ninjas, Zombies, and Smart Watches Instructor: Matt Bloodgood Course Length: 1 hour 45 minutes Event: 2026 ILEETA Conference & Expo Location: St. Louis, Missouri | 16–21 March 2026 🗓️ Find this course on the conference schedule: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1AwYa8qRDeQpIwOmxsQkeTTLf_sgketxc/edit ABOUT THE CONVERSATION Training scars are not just bad habits. They are unintended behaviors built through unrealistic training, administrative pressure, cultural traditions, poor instructional design, and even self-directed behaviors. In this Learning Lab interview, Matt discusses: ** The evolving research effort to define “training scars” across disciplines ** Why over 30 definitions currently exist and why clarity matters ** Real-world video examples, including officers adjusting smartwatches mid-event ** How administrative culture can create dangerous behaviors ** Why unrealistic “ninja” or “zombie” scenarios distort decision-making ** The problem with overemphasis on static range training ** The illusion of knowledge and confidence in instructor development ** Why “Are we training to reality within the confines of safety?” should guide everything Matt also poses a powerful question for instructors: If you knew with 100 percent certainty your student would be in a fight for their life tonight, would you train them differently? If the answer is yes, then why aren’t you doing it now? TOPICS DISCUSSED Defining training scars through international research Administrative vs instructor-driven problems Outdated firearms methodologies and range constraints Decision-making vs marksmanship emphasis Ecological dynamics and constraints-led approaches Instructional design failures Self-directed habits and unintended behaviors Never stop learning as an instructor CONNECT WITH MATT BLOODGOOD LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-bloodgood-msc-hrd-inci-6b695348/ Website: https://www.police-trainer.com/ Company: Matt Bloodgood Training & Consulting WATCH OR LISTEN 🎥 YouTube – Full Learning Lab Interview https://youtu.be/ApQSqSyVzws 🎧 Podcast – ILEETA Learning Lab https://www.ileeta.org/learning-lab/ Also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and major platforms. ABOUT THE ILEETA LEARNING LAB The ILEETA Learning Lab features conversations with conference instructors and training leaders to share insight, experience, and practical ideas that inspire excellence in law enforcement training. These conversations are designed to complement conference courses, support instructors, and extend learning beyond the classroom. #InspireExcellence #TribeOfTrainers #ILEETA2026 #TribeArchangers #Inspiration

37 min
FEB 16

Follow First – Mastering Trust & Perceptive Awareness (Harinder Singh)

Send us Fan Mail Harinder Singh will present Leaders Follow First – Mastering Trust & Perceptive Awareness at the 2026 ILEETA Conference & Expo in St. Louis, 16–21 March 2026. 👉 https://www.ileeta.org/conference/ A NOTE FROM THE LEARNING LAB ILEETA Deputy Executive Director Joe Willis sat down with Harinder Singh for a Learning Lab conversation focused on a powerful leadership principle: The state of the operator determines the outcome. In this conversation, Harinder explores how upgrading from IQ to EQ to CQ (Conscious Intelligence) allows leaders to slow down time, regulate pressure, and respond consciously rather than react emotionally. From tactical breathwork and the power of the pause to perceptive awareness and trust-building, this discussion challenges leaders and instructors to examine how internal state shapes external performance. This conversation provides context before the course, reinforces key ideas after the course, and offers practical tools for anyone responsible for leading under pressure. COURSE CONTEXT Course Title: Leaders Follow First – Mastering Trust & Perceptive Awareness Instructor: Harinder Singh Course Length: 1 hour 45 minutes Event: 2026 ILEETA Conference & Expo Location: St. Louis, Missouri | 16–21 March 2026 🗓️ Find this course on the conference schedule: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1AwYa8qRDeQpIwOmxsQkeTTLf_sgketxc/edit ABOUT THE CONVERSATION Effective leadership begins internally. In this ILEETA Learning Lab interview, Harinder Singh discusses: Why leaders must “follow first” to truly lead The law of effective interaction: perception → experience → action How interpretive filters shape decision-making The difference between reacting and consciously responding The power of the pause between stimulus and response Tactical breathwork and grounding under stress Adapting in real time instead of relying on fixed responses Rather than focusing on tactics alone, this session addresses the operating system behind leadership performance: awareness, adaptability, and trust. Whether you are an academy director, supervisor, defensive tactics instructor, or executive leader, this conversation offers practical insight into mastering perceptive awareness and building trust in high-pressure environments. CONNECT WITH HARINDER SINGH Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sifusingh/ Website: https://www.sifusingh.com/ WATCH OR LISTEN 🎥 YouTube – Full Learning Lab Interview https://youtu.be/J1tlvbmg5YU 🎧 Podcast – ILEETA Learning Lab https://www.ileeta.org/learning-lab/ Also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and major platforms. ABOUT THE ILEETA LEARNING LAB The ILEETA Learning Lab features conversations with conference instructors and training leaders to share insight, experience, and practical ideas that inspire excellence in law enforcement training. These conversations are designed to complement conference courses, support instructors, and extend learning beyond the classroom. #InspireExcellence #TribeOfTrainers #ILEETA2026

32 min

The Learning Lab is a series of 60 minute interviews with ILEETA Conference presenters discussing the key teaching point takeaways from their conference presentation. These interviews are packed with great content and created to serve as weekly professional development training for ILEETA members.

Creator

ILEETA
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

56
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2026 The ILEETA Learning Lab
Show Website

The ILEETA Learning Lab