Catoosa Sheriff’s Deputies Get Specialized Training from New Simulator

CATOOSA COUNTY, GA. (WDEF) – For law enforcement officers today, the pressure is greater than ever to make the right decisions when handling volatile situations.

The problem is, cops frequently have to make split-second life or death decisions.

The Catoosa county sheriff’s department has a new tool that will help them deal with situations like that.

It’s called a ” use of force simulator”

“SIR, drop your weapon. Sir, drop the weapon…shots.”

What would you have done in that situation? Does it invite criticism because the suspect was shot in the back?

SHERIFF GARY SISK ” But, because he turned and lowered his weapon on another officer, that came around the corner and presented a threat to him, that’s why this officer had to end that threat and stop that threat.”

That’s the kind of training Catoosa deputies are getting now that they have a “Use of force” simulator.

The department paid 86-thousand dollars for the device that can simulate more than 500 different interactive situations that may confront an officer. The device was paid for with private funds from a local foundation.

SHERIFF GARY SISK, CATOOSA COUNTY “Those are real guns, and they will function, however its how they function with this system that it registers hits..so whether or not they’re making good hits and as to when they should use force and what force they should use.”

It’s a tough training course in police work, but one that can be invaluable to each officer.

SHERIFF SISK “..and to debrief afterwards and talk about it and talk about different options that they may have had ..I think that’s awesome.”

The sheriff says other local departments are getting similar training equipment but they’ll be able to use this one in the meantime.