Posted by: Media Relations

Acting Sheriff Mike Boudreaux is proud to announce the installation of the new safety training equipment project he has been working on since October of 2012.  Captain Keith Douglass and the training unit had observed a use of force training simulator during the 2012 COPS West Conference.  The idea of utilizing a simulator for use of force options was brought back to management and the company later set up a demonstration to show its capabilities.  At that time, Assistant Sheriff Mike Boudreaux along with Sheriff Bill Wittman and the management team decided to put together a proposal for the Board to request additional funding for this type of training equipment.  This device was not intended to replace live fire weapons training.  It is meant to provide real life scenarios where critical thinking, decision making, interaction and use of force options could be deployed in a safe manner.  The concept is to expose the deputies to situations that help develop these critical thinking skills.  In addition, it also teaches them how to articulate what happened and what to expect when going through a critical incident debrief.  

"These skills are extremely perishable.  A Deputy can go through their entire career without having to go through a critical incident. We would rather have these Deputies prepared and trained to handle the situation and not need it, than be put into a situation where their life is in danger because they were not prepared.  The safety of our deputies is a priority," stated Acting Sheriff Mike Boudreaux.

The Board of Supervisors approved the purchase of the equipment in February and the Department took delivery and began training on the use of it in April.  Six staff members were initially trained on the use of the system for varied purposes. Use of force options range anywhere from verbal commands to use of actual weapons. The first groups of deputies to utilize the system were new correctional deputies who had just completed the Correctional Academy.  Their experience was limited to just having learned how to use their equipment and now had the resources to train with them in situations that they may likely come across and have to make decisions on.

Internal Affairs Sergeant Martin King also took part in some of the training sessions. Sergeant King remarked, "Having investigated officer involved shootings both as a detective and as a sergeant in Internal Affairs and then seeing the capabilities for training with this machine, I have no doubt this is a valuable resource and training tool.  Preparing your brain to react in various situations is priceless when it comes to saving a life that could also be your own."

The training staff is already working on a variety of ways to incorporate this training into perishable skills, use of force options and weapons training.

The media is invited to see a demonstration of this system and speak with training staff as well as acting Sheriff Mike Boudreaux at the time and date listed above.