Active Resistance Lab Helps Cops Train For Critical Incidents

CANTON, GA — The Canton Police Department recently wrapped up construction of its new multi-purpose Active Resistance Laboratory. Located behind the city's Public Works facility on Ridge Road, agency instructors and Public Works personnel joined forces to design and build the wooden structure that will serve as a live scenario-based training location for officers throughout the year.

Earlier this year, Canton police instructors attended an intense state active resistance course, which planted the seed for an idea to build the agency's own lab where officers can train close to home and develop their skill-sets in dealing with critical force incidents.

Agency instructors will use the new structure to create different mock sites (residences, businesses, etc.) for officers to respond to and address the given active resistance situation. The department’s goal for the new initiative is to continue to hone officer’s knowledge as it relates reasonable application for active resistance; situational de-escalation techniques through live scenarios; legal aspects and guidelines for the use of force when faced with active resistance; teach skill building/transition drills to personnel on use of force and non-deadly force; instruct officers on the latest Supreme Court decisions on when the use of force is reasonable; and to get officers out of the classroom and into realistic training drills and scenarios.

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Police Chief Mark Mitchell said the agency is "excited" to get this new training course up and running, as it will give Canton police officers the instruction, confidence, experience and knowledge needed when they are faced with active resistance situations.

"Classroom instruction is important, but live scenario-based training is key to building skill-sets in our personnel and the know-how to help them as they make split-second decisions that inherently come with many active resistance encounters," he said. "This multi-use structure was simple and very cost effective to build but is so very important to have in our back yard because of the many training benefits it will have for our officers, organization and community we serve, engage with and protect each day."

The department will begin using the facility for training in the coming months.

Images via Canton Police Department