Finger on the trigger: Reality-based police training in Federal Way

By Jacinda Howard • November 23, 2009 2:09 pm
Federal Way police officer Curtis Tucker participated in reality-based training Friday. Another officer acted as though he was a homeless man sleeping in a Federal Way facility. Tucker had to decide how best to handle the situation. The training was intended to force the officer responding to the call to make a quick 'shoot or don't shoot' decision in high-adrenaline situations. The men wore masks to protect them from simulated weapons loaded with paint balls.
Federal Way police officer Curtis Tucker participated in reality-based training Friday. Another officer acted as though he was a homeless man sleeping in a Federal Way facility. Tucker had to decide how best to handle the situation. The training was intended to force the officer responding to the call to make a quick 'shoot or don't shoot' decision in high-adrenaline situations. The men wore masks to protect them from simulated weapons loaded with paint balls.

To shoot or not to shoot?

Police participated in reality-based training meant to incite quick decision-making Friday.

Armed with simulation firearms loaded with paint balls, police took turns completing three shoot/ no-shoot training sessions in an empty building immediately south of City Hall. The training takes place a few times per year and replaces that conducted at a firing range, firearms instructor Bill Skinner said. It simulates real-life scenarios.

Each officer approaches a possibly dangerous situation differently, depending on their training, background and comfort level, Skinner said. However, the end results should be similar. The training is aimed at forcing the officers to make a split-second decision, he said.

Here’s the scenario: Police receive a call about a homeless drunken man sleeping at a fitness facility in Federal Way. The man is known to staff. He’s considered harmless but often sneaks into the locker room to sleep. A woman closing up for the night discovered him and called police to ask he be removed from the property. Officers are to respond and handle the situation. An officer is playing the role of the homeless subject.

The simulation was held in a currently empty building owned by LBA Realty. Upon arrival, the officers weaved their way through a maze of concrete floors and white walls until they reached the locker room. A damp, musty odor persisted. The lighting was low. Hardly a sound could be heard.

“These are the kind of calls that we go on every day,” Det. Adam Howell said.

The conditions were purposely set up to increase the heartbeat of the responding officers. The goal was to get their adrenaline pumping, then test them on how they reacted to a possibly dangerous situation. The officers’ response to the scene dictated how it ultimately played out.

During the first scenario, officer Curtis Tucker approached the rows of lockers. It was dark. He did not know what was in store for him.

A man lay on the ground. Tucker yelled at him to sit up. The man complied. A gun was seen protruding from the man’s waistband. Tucker immediately told him to rollover on his stomach. He cautiously approached the subject, scouting for any other weapons. He placed his knee on the man’s back, arrested him and handed the gun to his partner. Tucker then patted him down thoroughly, again looking for weapons. When none were found, the simulation was completed.

Then instructors questioned Tucker. What actions did he do and why? Tucker passed the test; he was able to recount his every move and explain why he took it. Tucker still appeared on alert when he was asked how he felt and if his heart was beating faster.

“Every time I do this stuff, I get all fired up,” Tucker said.

The next two scenarios were similar. Both took place in the same room. One required Tucker to inch closer to a partial wall. As he reached an angle that allowed him to see around the wall, he saw the homeless man. Tucker instructed him to turn around, at which point he witnessed the gun, held upright in the man’s right hand. Suddenly a series of loud noises erupted. Splashes of paint marked where Tucker had shot the man.

“I got the impression he was coming down with it,” Tucker said later.

The third scenario involved a knife. When the homeless man did not respond to verbal greetings from Tucker, the officer approached him, looking for weapons. The knife was identified quickly. Verbal responses were again issued and ignored. The man was passed out. Tucker kicked the knife away and roused the drunken man. He then searched him for weapons before completing the training.

All in all, the training takes a half-hour or less for each officer, Skinner said. It is a good reminder to remain calm, collected and perform as trained. Each of the department’s commissioned officers will partake in the reality-based training.