September is National Preparedness Month, a time to recognize the importance of preparation, awareness, and training in keeping our communities safe. For police officers, safety is not only a personal priority but also a professional responsibility that begins with the way they are trained.
To better understand how officers build the skills they need to stay calm under pressure, respond to emergencies, and protect those they serve, we spoke with Notre Dame Police Department Training Coordinator, Captain Scott Combs who shares insights into the safety-focused training officers undergo, the value of collaboration with other agencies, and the deep sense of purpose that drives him to prepare officers for the challenges of the job.
Can you describe your role in officer training and what a typical day looks like for you?
My role as Training Coordinator involves creating meaningful training opportunities for our officers while ensuring compliance with state mandated requirements throughout the year. Day to day responsibilities can vary significantly based on the department’s evolving training or hiring needs. Typically, the process begins with identifying those needs, followed by developing a training plan, and then securing an instructor who can deliver content that aligns with our department’s core values as well as state and federal law. It is also my responsibility to maintain accurate records, track all completed training, and report it to the Indiana Law Enforcement Training Board in accordance with state guidelines.
What types of safety-focused training do officers undergo, both when they’re new and throughout their careers?
Police Officers receive safety focused training both when they enter an academy and throughout their careers. While at the academy, new officers will learn core skills such as defensive tactics, firearms handling, situational awareness, safe driving, legal standards, crisis intervention, first aid, de-escalation to name a few. After graduation, officers refresh and expand these skills through regular inservice training which include the above topics as well as new policing and legal updates.
How do you prepare officers to stay calm and make quick decisions in high-stress situations?
There is a lot that goes into training, especially regarding making quick decisions in high stress situations. Within the training environment, we try to create realistic training environments that involve high stress scenarios, crisis intervention, communication and the use of simulators. We also teach and implicate tactical breathing and physiological control as this helps with the fight- or flight response.
Do you collaborate with fire, EMS, or other agencies in your training programs to ensure safety across departments?
Training and collaboration with other agencies such as our Fire Department/EMS or other outside agencies is crucial as this brings awareness to each of our professions. Having a better understanding of the roles and responsibilities across the agencies allow us to communicate effectively, continue our driving mission and keep each other safe.
What motivates you to continue leading officer training? What’s most rewarding about your role?
This question resonates deeply with me because it speaks to one of my core motivations in this profession. As a child, I was never particularly fond of school, but as I grew older, I discovered a true passion for learning. That passion didn’t fully take shape until I joined the public service as a volunteer firefighter, where I realized that the well being of our community often rested in our hands.
Through responding to a wide range of calls from routine to urgent I quickly understood the importance of being prepared. I never wanted to find myself in a situation where I was unable to help, and that drive to always be ready has fueled my commitment to growth, learning, and service.
In our line of work, we constantly reflect on past calls, share scenarios, and discuss everything from the routine to the extraordinary. What may seem like a small interaction to us can mean the world to someone else. Maybe it’s their first time calling 911, or maybe it’s the worst day of their life. Every encounter, whether with our students, our visitors, our faculty and staff, or our families, carries the potential to leave a lasting impact. Even if we never see the outcome, we know that our presence, our professionalism, and our compassion can make a difference. That is why we strive every day to protect and serve because we never know what kind of day someone is having, but we do know that how we show up can shape their experience forever.
How does it feel knowing that the training you lead could be the reason someone makes it home safely at the end of a shift?
Our officers are faced with all types of situations and dangers that encompasses law enforcement. I feel our officers end their shifts safely not because of me, but because of the hard work and training they prepare themselves for when those critical moments are presented. My role is simply to prepare them the best I can, provide them with the tools and mindset to handle whatever comes their way.
Originally published by at police.nd.edu on August 26, 2025.