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Laser Shot conditions officers to make quick decisions
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Barton Community College criminal justice students send a few rounds downrange, Monday evening at Barton Community College. The college is raising money to buy a Laser Shot simulation that would go above and beyond the traditional paper targets, giving students situations in which they can practice reacting with the proper use of force. - photo by COURTESY PHOTO

 

A split-second decision can mean the difference between life and death for any police officer put in a high-stakes situation. The right training can nudge the situation toward a successful outcome, while a lack of it might result in tragedy.

"This year alone, more than 100 officers have been killed in the line of duty, of which 40 percent were ambushed," Barton Community College’s Criminal Justice Coordinator Randy Smith said.

The criminal justice program at BCC hopes to prepare its students for these tough calls with a new piece of equipment called Laser Shot. The simulator puts a firearm in the hands of an officer and uses a projector to display a scenario where the officer is forced to respond and practice the correct use of force. The college is inching toward the goal of more than $30,000 in donations to purchase the equipment, and a portion of the admissions fees from the upcoming class with William Teater will go toward that goal.

"It’s been found some that an officer can do 90 percent on the range, but 30-40 percent in a real situation," said Smith. "The simulator will shoot back at us. It’s more realistic training than just qualifying on paper – it’s more than a target."

Barton County Undersheriff Larry Holiday said the realistic shoot/don’t shoot training would have far-reaching benefits for public safety.

"(It is a) local training opportunity with minimal cost and gives the ability to adjust the training to different skill levels," he said. "There is minimal cost in instructors. Any and all training received by law enforcement benefits the local communities as they will have better trained and educated officers serving them."

The advantages of the training equipment extend beyond the BCC campus. Law enforcement offices in Rush, Russel, Stafford, Rice and Ellsworth counties will also have access to the simulator, which can also be used for firefighting scenarios, emergency medical services training and hunter education.

More information can be found online at www.lasershot.com and leeturner.bartonccc.edu.