The Signal System can be adapted to your needs and budget. Options include full implementation, targeted training and support, and working with you to augment your existing training curricula.

Option 1: Full implementation
A full, embedded approach to shifting workplace culture within a defined scope (e.g. unit, district, division, detachment, etc.) that involves:

• • Consultations with frontline members and leaders to understand priorities, pressures, and pain points
  • Identification and engagement of key influencers within specific units, districts, etc.
  • A series of interactive, customized, evidence-based workshops to build the will and skill to shift behaviour
  • Ongoing follow-up through targeted emails with practical tools, prompts, and reinforcement

Option 2: Targeted Training & Support
Focused support to address specific challenges. This involves:

• • Consultation with leadership to identify key priorities and needs
  • Adaptation of one or more policing-specific workshops, including:
    • Enhancing Workplace Culture
    • Preventing and Addressing Sexual Harassment
    • Strengthening Frontline Supervision
    • Giving and Receiving Feedback
    • Enhancing Accountability
    • Getting Beyond the Eye Roll
  • In-person or virtual delivery to your members

Option 3: Augmenting Existing Training
If you already have training, we can help make it more effective. Our team reviews and refines existing materials to ensure they are:

• • Engaging
  • Evidence-based
  • Targeted to a policing audience
  • Designed to reduce resistance and drive results

Feedback on The Signal System has been incredibly positive. Here’s what staff and leaders have said:

“Incredible value. […] There has been a change [here] that is just about palpable. Not only did our folks value the training, but they also actually use the tools.”

[It] strengthened the group internally. You know you are okay to speak out and say ‘Hey man, that stuff’s not good, […] that’s not cool. So please, you know, stop doing it.’ So, it really strengthened not just my team, but the whole district.”

“[We’ve seen] a shift from blaming and criticizing to learning … people feel more included and [can be] vulnerable.”

“The fact that it was actually tailored to [our organization] specifically, that's what had the impact. […] It was honestly probably the best management training I've ever had.”

“Well done. Not preachy. Down to earth information that can be practically put into use.”

1. Bottom-up culture change: Leaders matter, but culture is shaped on the front lines. That’s where we focus.
2. Activating ~25% of the network: Research shows that when approximately a quarter of a group consistently models new behaviours, those behaviours begin to spread through the wider network.
3. Key influencers: We work with frontline staff and supervisors who are liked and respected – because that’s who employees look to when they’re figuring out how to behave.
4. Employees’ priorities: We begin by addressing the issues employee’s care about, building trust before tackling more sensitive topics like bullying or harassment.
5. Custom, not cookie-cutter: Content is tailored to each workplace’s realities and culture.

This approach was developed through Shift, a research hub at the University of Calgary that focuses on stopping violence, harassment, and discrimination before they start – which means that we focus on supporting workplaces to build the skills and norms that promote safety, belonging, and healthy interactions. The Signal System is based on:

• Over a decade of research
• A three-year collaborative involving researchers and experts
• Real-world testing in a policing workplace
• Ongoing testing in other workplace contexts

• Self-regulation skills
• Communication skills
• Active listening skills
• Recognizing & managing bias
• Perspective-taking
• Managing assumptions
• Taking responsibility
• Intervening to address problematic behaviours
• Signalling healthy norms and behaviours