NCJ Number
201149
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 51 Issue: 6 Dated: June 2003 Pages: 51-52
Date Published
June 2003
Length
2 pages
Annotation
This article describes the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department's (California) biannual Officer Survival Course, which involves participation in training for an officer's use of deadly force in a variety of scenarios.
Abstract
The first day of the training focuses on the physiological effects an officer experiences in a high-risk or deadly-force confrontation. This is followed by three guest speakers, who share their experiences of having been involved in shooting situations in which their training and survival mindset were tested and proven. The second day consists of live fire range training in which basic firearms concepts are reviewed and some new or seldom-practiced skills are presented. For many students, this may be their first exposure to live-fire team shooting, with one officer as the point and his/her partner firing from behind as they approach the target in a two-person cell formation. This concept is further expanded as officers practice tactical retreat. The cornerstone of the training, however, is the force-on-force scenario-based training that uses Simunition FX Marking Cartridges. With more than 12 instructors, safety officers, evaluators, and role players involved, the student is exposed to various situations, many of which are reenactments of actual shootings in which officers were killed. Thus, lecture, demonstration, role reversal, simulation, role-play, small group break out, and brainstorming, as well as student feedback opportunities, are just some of the methods used in this progressive training.