Police Train in Virtual Shootout Scenarios

Last week, the underwent firearms training that was half-video game, half-paintball course.

A 48-foot live-fire mobile trailer camped out in the station's parking lot, and inside video scenarios played out by actors were projected onto a paper screen. Using live fire, officers were asked to handle the situation, either by shooting the two-dimensional perpetrator or taking another action. Some of the scenarios were hostage situations, school violence and domestic abuse.

According to Lt. Mike David, the training exposed officers to realistic situations that can happen everyday in the cruiser out on patrol. Sometimes a siren would interrupt the training, an added surprise meant to jar officers' concentration. It's the first year the department has added the simulated training to the schedule, mainly due to funding restrictions.

Lt. David said the training was a good opportunity for officers to sharpen their skills. And though all officers performed well, the training is the best place to make errors so they can be rectified. 

"Now's the time to make mistakes," he said, noting officers are debriefed after the exercise to discuss strategy.

All 87 of the department's officers were required to complete the training, which also fulfilled an annual nighttime target practice training requirement of the state. The training was paid for by a $11,000 grant that was applied for in 2008, according to Lt. David. No overtime was incurred as officers completed the training during normal shifts.

Patrolman Andrew Snow thought the training was valuable, as there aren't many opportunities to hone in firearms skills aside from target practice and paintball scenarios. He grew up hunting in a woodsy community; therefore, handling firearms is not a foreign concept. However, not all officers have the same background, making training all the more beneficial.

"It was a good thing to do," he said.