On October 17, 2025, the Center for Social & Behavioral Science (CSBS) and the Police Training Institute (PTI) co-hosted a day-long Innovation Day for researchers and law enforcement professionals focused on advancing police training research. The event, hosted with support from Arnold Ventures, welcomed 23 participants from diverse disciplines including political science, statistics, advertising, engineering, and anthropology. PTI instructors—many of whom are active-duty officers—joined campus researchers and leaders from major research centers to explore new opportunities for collaboration.
The day began with an overview of PTI’s history and mission, followed by a keynote address from Dr. Renee Mitchell of the American Society of Evidence-Based Policing. Dr. Mitchell shared her journey from police officer to researcher and highlighted emerging areas for evidence-based approaches in police training. Afternoon breakout sessions generated ideas for projects ranging from curriculum evaluation to the use of artificial intelligence in training and experimental methods to improve policing practices.
To build on the momentum generated during Innovation Day, PTI and CSBS will host monthly convenings throughout the spring semester to support research endeavors focused on police training and education. These efforts mark an important step toward creating a robust evidence base for police training and fostering interdisciplinary partnerships that can shape the future of law enforcement education. If you are interested in getting involved, contact us at CSBScience@illinois.edu.
