Anchor has ‘eye opening’ experience at IMPD training

[The Legion]

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — When to shoot and when not to shoot?  Follow the link to see the video.

 

http://wishtv.com/2015/11/11/to-shoot-or-not/

 

 

It’s a question that every police cadet is asked while in the academy. It’s a topic that is picked apart by the public every time an officer fires their gun.

24-Hour News 8 took a trip to IMPD’s Police Academy to find out how they train for these types of situations. It was a part of our Citizens Academy class and it was, to say the least, eye opening.

Once there, IMPD Veteran Jeff Patterson explained how one of his jobs is to train cadets on the use of force, including firing their weapon.

“What we’re going to prove now is if he decides to shoot you, he will win,” Patterson said, referencing a mock situation with a fake suspect.

24-Hour News 8’s Phil Sanchez stood there with his plastic gun in hand and pointed at the “suspect” who held his gun by his side.

“As fast as he can he’s going to go bang, and the bang is the indicator that he pulled the trigger” Patterson said.

Every time, Sanchez lost. Even when they didn’t fire, he lost.

“Oh my God, why did you shoot me? I was going to run away. Decision making. That’s what we deal with as police officer every day,” Patterson said.

The class was a game changer for some of Sanchez’s Citizens Academy classmates. People like Norma Evans Bruce.

‘I have a new respect for them, a new found respect, for them now,” Evans Bruce said.

She said that prior to taking the class she was quick to blame the police for anything and everything. But not anymore.

“There are different sides to every story, and until you understand what a person does, then you really can’t comment on it,” Evans Bruce added.

Sanchez did that exercise at least 10 times — every time he lost. Now imagine if that was real? What would you do?

The folks at the Police Academy urge you to sign up for the Citizens Academy and take part in these exercises.

[enfield]

Just finished a Citizen's Academy and witnessed this exercise - the Sheriff won every time but once. He handed the plastic gun to a Doctor and the Doc immediately shot the Sheriff while talking to him. :D

[gl19gobang]

But he didn't shoot the deputy, right?

[enfield]

Right!