FATS training helps police in decision making
Simulator produces many scenarios
Strongsville Police Lt. Pat Russo, who also serves as department range master, trains on a Firearms Training Simulator (FATS). Numerous scenarios help police personnel with decision making. Photo by TERRY BRLAS
STRONGSVILLE – There is no profession on earth that is required to make split decisions that can result in life or death like that of law enforcement.
It is also difficult to replicate these type of scenarios. However, Strongsville Police Department personnel were able to participate in Firearms Training Simulator (FATS) training the week of Feb. 6 at the range to the rear of the police station.
The simulator is an interactive system that uses a computer program, large screen and realistic firearms loaded with computer chips instead of firearms. The purpose is to fine tune an officer’s decision making skills in the use of force.
“It’s not so much can you shoot, but is it appropriate to shoot or maybe a different level of force is warranted,” said Lt. Pat Russo, who also serves as range master. “We have the option of going to Taser, the option of verbal commands and as the scene progresses the instructor can adjust what the subject will do depending on what the officer does. If the officer is issuing good verbal commands, we can choose comply. If he’s not, we can escalate.”
There are hundreds of scenario options and settings in the system, including schools, libraries, offices, bars and malls. Another category, titled current events, was recently added to FATS, which was run 24 hours a day for one week so everyone on the force had the opportunity to train.
“It’s a good tool because it allows us to expose officers to different scenarios we hope we never have to deal with, but we can work through it and talk about the decisions that were made,” said Patrolman Derek Apo.
When it comes to decision making, it comes back to explaining the reason for the choice that was made. Officers must explain the “why” during a debriefing.
“Either way you choose you have to be able to justify it. We’re dealing with a simulation, as opposed to real life,” Russo said. “This puts us in situations we don’t normally see. We can do it repetitively. It heightens our awareness and heightens our training. If we make a mistake, this is where we want the mistake made so we can take measures to correct it.”
Verbal commands are key when determining a course of action. A camera records the scenario so a visual and audio playback can also give feedback.
“It comes back to your training. The thing we stress is verbal commands,” Russo said. “A person who is scared and wants to be saved will listen to you. Somebody who doesn’t will heighten your level of awareness and maybe this is somebody you need to deal with.”
The FATS simulator is rented for one week for $2,900. If purchased outright, a top-of-the-line system could cost upwards of $150,000.
It is also difficult to replicate these type of scenarios. However, Strongsville Police Department personnel were able to participate in Firearms Training Simulator (FATS) training the week of Feb. 6 at the range to the rear of the police station.
The simulator is an interactive system that uses a computer program, large screen and realistic firearms loaded with computer chips instead of firearms. The purpose is to fine tune an officer’s decision making skills in the use of force.
“It’s not so much can you shoot, but is it appropriate to shoot or maybe a different level of force is warranted,” said Lt. Pat Russo, who also serves as range master. “We have the option of going to Taser, the option of verbal commands and as the scene progresses the instructor can adjust what the subject will do depending on what the officer does. If the officer is issuing good verbal commands, we can choose comply. If he’s not, we can escalate.”
There are hundreds of scenario options and settings in the system, including schools, libraries, offices, bars and malls. Another category, titled current events, was recently added to FATS, which was run 24 hours a day for one week so everyone on the force had the opportunity to train.
“It’s a good tool because it allows us to expose officers to different scenarios we hope we never have to deal with, but we can work through it and talk about the decisions that were made,” said Patrolman Derek Apo.
When it comes to decision making, it comes back to explaining the reason for the choice that was made. Officers must explain the “why” during a debriefing.
“Either way you choose you have to be able to justify it. We’re dealing with a simulation, as opposed to real life,” Russo said. “This puts us in situations we don’t normally see. We can do it repetitively. It heightens our awareness and heightens our training. If we make a mistake, this is where we want the mistake made so we can take measures to correct it.”
Verbal commands are key when determining a course of action. A camera records the scenario so a visual and audio playback can also give feedback.
“It comes back to your training. The thing we stress is verbal commands,” Russo said. “A person who is scared and wants to be saved will listen to you. Somebody who doesn’t will heighten your level of awareness and maybe this is somebody you need to deal with.”
The FATS simulator is rented for one week for $2,900. If purchased outright, a top-of-the-line system could cost upwards of $150,000.