TOOLS
Mentoring and Coaching in Police Services
Sample Training Program for Mentors
This initiative was funded by the Government of Canada’s Sector Council Program
This is a living document. Last updated July 2009
© POLICE SECTOR COUNCIL
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Sample Training Program for Mentors
Stage 1: “Mentoring and Coaching Skills: A Workshop for Senior Leaders”
A two-day workshop on basic mentoring and coaching skills for mentors that:
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Increases self-knowledge
Engages the participant leader as a Mentor/Coach
Provides a starter kit for developing essential coaching and mentoring skills
The program includes assessments and debriefs on thinking, behavioural and leadership
styles as well as skills training and applied practice on:
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Essential mentoring and coaching skills:
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Relationship building
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Giving and receiving feedback
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Active listening skills
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Creating a learning mentoring/coaching culture
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The art of questioning
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Action planning
The role of self-awareness issues in mentoring and coaching
Benefits and barriers to good mentoring and coaching
Handling sensitive and difficult mentoring/coaching
Reflective practice
Designing an individual action plan for mentor development
Stage 2: “Using Assessments in Mentoring and Coaching”
This training offers opportunities for mentors and coaches to become familiar with the
assessment tools used in the Leadership Development Program. The training includes:
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Familiarization with the assessment tools to be used in the mentoring and coaching
program
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Instruction on how to use assessment results for developmental planning
Discussions on how to use assessment results to assist leadership program participants
identify their own developmental goals and how to link results to participants’ realities,
experiences, and program goals
This program should be delivered by someone trained in assessment methodology. Theory
on assessment can be provided individually, to a group or as a webinar. One-on-one
scheduling accommodates the busy schedules of senior staff.
Stage 3: A series of Coaching Skills Transfer Workshops
Opportunities to anchor and fine tune mentoring and coaching skills can be offered through
smaller sub-group meetings where participants working in triads could practice and receive
feedback on a range of mentoring/coaching skill areas such as:
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Goal setting
Developmental Learning Plan
Coaching conversations
Creating motivation for change
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Handling difficult situations
Dealing with resistance
“Fit” and boundary issues
Codes of conduct
Stage 4: Post-training Follow-up Conversations
In-person or telephone follow-up conversations with the program manager or coach help
consolidate mentors’ learning and insights. This not only communicates support for mentor
development but also models the coaching process overall.
Stage 5: Building a Community of Mentors and Coaches
Creating opportunities for mentors and coaches to share their experiences is a valuable
development practice that sustains program interest, motivation and commitment. It also
helps to build a mentoring and coaching community where mentors and coaches can share
experiences and build important supportive relationships.
Some suggested venues for mentors and coaches to communicate and share information
include:
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Interactive webinars
Meetings
Social gatherings
Telephone conferences
Opportunities to work together on initiatives such as writing articles, speaking at
conferences, and peer coaching on mentoring and coaching skills.