My first attempt at a “live fire” simulator involved a dark indoor pistol range, a huge sheet of white paper and a slide projector. Each scenario involved a sequence of several 35mm slides projected onto the paper “target” building up to a shoot/don’t shoot decision. The officers went through individually and were expected to verbalize commands, and move to available cover items we provided. If the scenario developed into a “shoot” situation, they were expected to score hits on the bad guy(s).
As crude as our simulator was, the potential of the training was staggering. Fast forward into the 1990s, when computerized laser disk players allowed trainers to vary the outcome of a scenario depending on the officer’s actions, adding even more realism and stress. The newest versions are almost as good as interactive scenarios with live role players and paint marking weapons. Still, the simulator weapons are not real guns firing live rounds, so they lack the last smidgeon of reality.
Most simulators require each officer to “zero” the simulator weapons to their individual eyes. The process generally requires a few very carefully-aimed shots on a dot or bullseye target. In these days of reduced round counts due to budget and ammunition shortages, firing basic marksmanship drills on a computer simulator can be a very real and no-cost training technique. All the simulators I’ve seen have basic marksmanship courses in their playlist, but few agencies make use of them.
Bringing Scenarios to the Square Range
Flipping our thought process 180 degrees, we can also take scenarios out to the live-fire square range very effectively. Several companies offer realistic “decision” targets in both cartoon and photographic variations. You can rig either commercial or improvised targets to drop only when hit in the “vital” zone, remaining a threat until a good hit is made.
Require your officers to verbalize orders while negotiating the course – it adds to the multi-tasking stress level and helps build a valuable skill. Nearly all officer-involved shootings will be video recorded in the foreseeable future, so adding in verbalization will go far to prove the officer’s attempt to de-escalate the situation.
Steel targets are especially worthwhile in practical live-fire training. The steel is either struck or missed, quick and easy to score, and the officer must engage the target until it goes down, just like a live adversary.
If your firearms training program does not involve shooter movement, shame on you. Gunfights are mobile, interactive events. Your officers must learn how to move slowly and deliberately while firing, still landing a significant percentage of hits. Though, when the distance is beyond 7-10 yards, most of our officers will need to stop their movement long enough for a careful shot. As Wyatt Earp said, “fast is fine, but accuracy is final.”
In the Garland (Texas) terrorist shooting last year, the officer who decked both terrorists with his .45 caliber Glock left a trail of empty cases, showing he closed the distance during the event. I have my own speculation why he charged into the fray with two much more heavily armed felons, but whatever the reason, he was clearly able to both shoot and move effectively.
Think Outside the Box
As training time and funding continues to dwindle, good instructors will innovate and experiment to keep their officers as well-prepared as possible for the threat of deadly attack. Computer simulators are the fastest and least expensive way to put your officers through decisional training. Simunition-type scenarios are better still, but very time and manpower intensive. And, those simulator sessions can include a few “rounds” of free precision marksmanship training as well.
Make your live fire sessions practical training, instead of a merely static qualification event. Practical events are more fun and will build infinitely better gunfighting skills than any 30-50 round qualification course.
As firearms trainers, we must meet the challenge of increased scrutiny and still keep our officers at the tip of the spear, ready to protect themselves first — they can’t protect society if they go down.
