“As an instructor, I always tell deputies we make mistakes in training so we don’t make them in real life,” says Sgt. Brian Johnson of the Wright County Sheriff’s Dept.

 

That was a big reason why the department invested in a new training tool, the Laser Shot simulation system.

 

Johnson demonstrated the system during a media tour Tuesday at the Wright County Law Enforcement Center in Buffalo.

 

Laser Shot uses cutting edge technology to simulate realistic live-fire exercises.  Officers and trainees encounter on-screen simulations and react to those scenarios.

 

Johnson says they use the system when a new person applies for a position with the department.

 

 “As part of the interview process, we run them through some select scenarios just to see how they handle stress and see how they’re able to make on-the-spot decisions.

 

It’s also an integral part of continuous training for deputies. There are three main force options for someone to use during a simulation, the gun, taser and pepper spray.

 

“Deputies are given the option to make the decision when they would use a particular tool based on the person they’re dealing with,” says Johnson. “They also have the ability to get verbal compliance in some scenarios.”

 

They system has 200 different scenarios, so officers have a variety of interactive experiences to learn from. All the sessions are recorded for review.

 

“We have an evaluation  sheet, but we don’t have pass/fail,” says Johnson. “We’re just looking at things like marksmanship, transition, verbal commands and anything that we can improve.

 

Johnson says the Laser Shot doesn’t replace hands-on training or other physical and face-to-face training. But is gives the department the option of quicker, safer and cost-effective training.

 

Typical training sessions often require large groups of people - deputies, role-players and safety officers, as well as equipment.

 

“That’s a great way to train but it takes a lot of time, manpower and resources. And anytime you do hands-on training, there’s always the risk of an injury,” he says. “This allows us to do a lot of that with two people. We can bring in a deputy and an instructor and set this up in four or five minutes.”

 

All deputies are required to use the system at least once a year. Many do it more frequently and Johnson says it’s being used by someone almost every week.

 

Wright County found out about it more than two years ago when they borrowed the system from the Columbia Heights department.

 

“Everyone was saying, “this is awesome. This is absolutely what we need.” says Johnson.

 

Wright County purchased their system about a year and a half ago for about $25,000 and it’s made a big difference.

 

“It allows us to do a lot of training in a short period of time in a controlled environment. It allows us to put our deputies in high-stress situations without having to worry about injuries. And it allows us to record, review, critique and educate them afterwards,” says Johnson. “It’s just a really good tool. And the more you train, the better you get.”