Dutch Police

The challenge

In policing, knowledge becomes outdated fast. Regulations shift, protocols evolve, and officers must apply critical procedures under pressure in real situations. A training model built around weeks of classroom theory could not keep pace, and much of what was learned faded once students returned to the workplace.

At the Police Academy's training location in Ossendrecht, officer education followed a conventional structure: theory-heavy weeks in the classroom, followed by practical training. The challenge was not ambition but architecture. When foundational knowledge consumed most of the available time, too little room remained for the critical tasks officers need to perform from day one in their role.

The Academy needed a smarter structure, one that moved theory out of the classroom and back into the learner's hands, so that in-person time could focus entirely on what only a trainer can provide.

How Drillster and AskDelphi changed the model

Xprtise, a learning and performance consultancy, was brought in to redesign the programme. Together with the Academy, they built a blended learning approach combining Drillster for adaptive knowledge practice with AskDelphi for on-the-job performance support.

The model works across three stages. Before the course, students use Drillster to independently work through the theoretical foundations at their own pace. The adaptive algorithm ensures each person focuses on what they actually need, rather than repeating content they already know. By arrival day in Ossendrecht, the baseline is already in place and students know what to expect.

During the course, the classroom shifts entirely to practice. With theory already mastered, instructors can dedicate every contact hour to critical tasks, simulations, and applied exercises. Learning becomes more personal, more focused, and more effective.

After the course, when officers encounter an unfamiliar protocol or procedure on the job, Drillster and AskDelphi are immediately available. Drillster maintains knowledge through spaced repetition. AskDelphi provides just-in-time answers at the exact moment they are needed in the field.

Before starting the course, I had already read a lot about it through AskDelphi, so I had a sense of what to expect. During the course you can apply what you have learned. And now, after the course, I still use it occasionally to look up a protocol or procedure. It is really useful to have something to fall back on.

Officer of Service student, Dutch Police Academy

The results

The redesigned programme at the Police Academy shows what happens when learning architecture matches operational reality.

We have taken a lot of the theory out of a traditionally two-weeks training course. With the help of Drillster, employees can learn and practice these lessons independently at a time when they want to. The basic knowledge is no longer covered during the training week. The focus can now be on the critical tasks, while other tasks are learned independently before and after, using Drillster and AskDelphi for on-the-job support. Instead of a week, it now only takes a day and a half for the theory, while practical training time takes up the rest. In-person training time is thus used much more efficiently.

Saskia Huussen, Project Manager and Consultant at Xprtise

• Theory portion of a two-week course reduced to a day and a half

• Practical training time significantly increased within the same programme

• Students arrive at the course with foundational knowledge already in place

• Knowledge and competences remain reliable on the job, not just during training

• Officers have on-demand access to protocols and procedures when they need them in the field

See how the Police Academy keeps operational knowledge current.