HARTSVILLE, SC (WBTW) – Hartsville Police are participating in intensive “response to resistance” training that focuses on use of force and de-escalation.
The department recently got an interactive firearms simulator that imitates real-life situations in computerized scenarios which are projected onto a large screen. They’re all interactive videos that involve subjects engaging with officers in a number of situations that they could encounter while on the job. The simulator has more than 500 situations, including active shooter, home break-in, ATM robbery, and a domestic dispute.
There are several different versions of each scenario, each with a different outcome. The officers practice giving voice commands to the suspect. Sometimes, they are able to talk the suspect down and the suspect will drop the weapon. In others, the suspect will charge the officer or start shooting. Officers say the decision to use force or not is made in a split second, and knowing when to do so is crucial.
“The purpose for this training is making sure officers know when to use force and when not to use force. And also to give them some tools and some experience in de-escalating situations so that they don’t jump to a weapon first thing,” said Lieutenant Mark Blair. “This training is important so that officers realize, if a weapon is needed, they need to have it out. But also, it’s not needed in every situation. So the purpose of this and the goal is to make sure the officers use the appropriate level of force to accomplish lawful objectives.”
Officers will spend the new few weeks training using a new firearms simulator. Members of City Council and the Ministerial Alliance will also participate in the training.
This simulator training is a part of the Municipal Association of South Carolina’s two self-funded insurance programs, the S.C. Municipal Insurance and Risk Financing Fund, and the S.C. Municipal Insurance Trust.
