Shoot or Tackle? Simulator Puts Police in Tough Situations
Strongsville officers get use-of-force training
The officer runs into the house and sees a man choking a woman. He's got to make a split-second decision: Yell at the man? Tackle him? Use his Taser? Or shoot? Strongsville police put their skills to the test this week with a firearms training simulator, an interactive device that shows hundreds of different crime scenarios on a large screen to see how officers react. They can fire at the screen with air powered handguns or shotguns, or use a Taser. "It's really decision-making training," said Sgt. Pat Russo, Strongsville rangemaster and training officer. "It forces you to make a fast decision." The city rented the simulator for a week, which allowed about 50 of the department's 68 officers a chance for virtual training. "They're …
