Oklahoma Police Train In Realistic Simulator
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Oklahoma Police Officers Use Simulator To Help With Emergency Situations
JENKS, Okla. (CBSDFW.COM) - Police officers across the nation are now under a lot of pressure from their communities when it comes to dealing with the public. They need to make split-second decisions without making any mistakes -- decisions on when to take action, and which weapon to use, if necessary.
Authorities in Arlington and McKinney, among other North Texas cities, have come under national scrutiny for their use of force in certain situations, sometimes with deadly outcomes.
But officers in Jenks, Oklahoma are preparing for these decisions by using a realistic simulator.
The simulator is important because it gives the officers an opportunity to experience real-life events without the pressure and the scrutiny from the public. The simulator, called 'Milo,' has realistic situations programed in it.
Cpl. Aaron McNulty of the Jenks Police Department said that Milo gives the officers the chance to engage in scenarios where they have different options.
When police pull out of the station, they never know what emergencies they will be dispatched to. Officers stated that the Milo simulator gives them training to respond to the most dangerous situations and feel confident in their decisions.
In one of the scenarios, Officer Thomas Johnson was approached by two men who were not listening to his orders. One of the men slapped the other and started walking towards the officer. The only weapon Johnson had was a handgun. But, Johnson explained, this was not the time to pull it out. "I would go with the Taser because he is already coming at me aggressively." he said.
"This is extremely intense," added Detective Michael Gauldin. "Most situations we face aren't this intense this fast. However, the training is crucial when we do get in a situation that intense." Gauldin's scenario was a disturbance call where a man was armed with a knife. Police are trained to pull their gun "if they are holding any kind of deadly weapon, knives or firearms."
It is the hope of the Jenks Police Department that this training, when added to an officer's experience in the field, will lead to the best possible outcome each time.
