Firearms training simulator aids Lincoln Police
By: Alana Cerrone
acerrone@abc6.com
LINCOLN, R.I. – Thursday afternoon, Patrolman Jason Marquis fired his gun at an armed suspect as part of the firearms training simulator on loan to the Lincoln Police Department.
The training simulator is for officers to practice use of force in thousands of scenarios from car stops, to domestic disputes, to active shooter situations, and to force the officer to make split second decisions.
"He had a very difficult decision to make he was confident with his ability and he stopped that person from engaging," said Captain Phil Gould of the Lincoln Police Department.
Capt. Gould oversees his department’s training but he’s also the head firearms instructor for the Rhode Island municipal police academy.
"When we’re out there on the streets there is no pause so they appreciate the chance to go through those scenarios and get that practice," said Capt. Gould.
In the wake of recent officer involved shootings he finds this training more important than ever.
"We’re human…humans do make errors but we certainly don’t condone errors…we try to address that and prepare for it as best we can," continued Capt. Gould.
He says officers never stop training, but still no amount of practice can prepare them for the unknown behind each call.
"Police officers do not shoot to kill it is not our intention…But it is not easy…our officers out there on the street don’t know what they’re responding to…quite often it’s a difficult decision,” said Capt. Gould.
The officers said a lot of their training is focused on handling people with mental health issues.
It’s a new issue coming to the forefront for police, and a difficult one, making it more challenging to figure out when to use force.
© WLNE-TV / ABC6 2016
