Can we use failure to learn better! Experiences from learning and development in policing

Using empirical data from a project related to improvements in police learning and development functions, this article considers the challenge police organisations face in moving past the application of single loop learning. It argues that the way that errors and problems are confronted serves to reinforce the application of single-loop processes. However, using frameworks from Schon and Aryris and our own empirical data we suggest a shift towards different frameworks incorporating double loop processes of organisational learning are possible.