Class of Citizens Police Academy use firearms simulator to make split-second decisions on whether to shoot a suspect: Call 278-7628 to take the course

Marianita Kunst, who is in the current class of Citizens Police Academy, holds a rifle with the help of Capt. Bret Bowen, at left, and Chief of Detectives Jaj. Robert McNab during a display of SWAT team weapons.

Gerald Grosch of Meraux, at right, is handed a 90-pound bomb squad jacket from Sgt. Stephen Ingargiola during a display of bomb squad equipment.	Members of the class of the sheriff’s Citizens Police Academy Christine Foret, at right, and Jimmy Beeson, both of Chalmette, hold non-firing guns as they prepare to watch a video in a firearms simulator program which calls for them to make a split-second decision on whether to shoot a criminal suspect.
Sheriff’s Bomb Squad members are shown with the department’s bomb robot for investigating suspicious items. From left are Sgt. Chris Scheeler, Bomb Squad commander Maj. Mark Poche, Capt. Daniel Doucet and Sgt. Stephen Ingargiola. All perform other duties with the Sheriff’s Office as well as Bomb Squad operations.	Tina Gioe of Chalmette points a gas gun for firing tear gas during a demonstration of Sheriff’s Office weapons to the Citizens Police Academy class.
Maj. David DiMaggio, head of training for the Sheriff’s Office is shown in silhouette against a screen used in the firearms simulator program as he explains the device for participants in the Citizens Police Academy class.	Karen Coombs of Arabi, in the foreground, and Terri Guate of St. Bernard, in the background, point their guns at a screen that will show them computerized videos and call for them to decide whether to shoot a criminal suspect in the firearms simulator program.

None of them were sheriff’s deputies and don’t want to be but they had real enough-looking weapons in their hands.

And when computerized videos of situations a real officer might face blared on a screen in front of them they had to make a split-second decision: shoot a criminal suspect or hold their fire – the same one an actual officer might have to make.

“It was awesome ’’ said Christine Foret of Chalmette, one of about 40 St. Bernard Parish residents who were recently introduced to what is called a firearms simulator – which is used for actual police training. She is a member of the current class of the Sheriff’s Office’s free Citizens Police Academy.

“It’s the first time I’ve done something like this and it was interesting,’’ Foret said after her turn with a weapon. She said she took the class to learn more about the parish and law enforcement and said she believes, “It gives you an idea of what a police officer would go through.’’

The 10-week course, conducted by Capt. Charles Borchers, is designed to show parish residents what law enforcement is like and give them a chance to ask questions related to the subject.

“I thought it was great,’’ said Al Barrilleaux of Chalmette, another member of the class. “You don’t know what to expect’’ when a video comes on.

Sheriff James Pohlmann said, “We think this course gives participants a real feel for police work. Residents see what officers have to deal with and the decisions they may have to make.’’

Of the firearms simulator, Maj. David DiMaggio, head of training for the Sheriff’s Office, told participants. “This is about as realistic as we can make it for you.’’

Two members of the class at a time are armed with non-firing type guns and view a video of officers on a call and see various situations. It might include a motorist pulling a weapon at a traffic stop or a domestic battery scene or even hostage situations.

Then the person with the gun is called upon to decide if they would use deadly force on a suspect in the situation.

Borrowed from the state Attorney General’s Office, the computerized training simulator has been a popular feature of the Citizens Police Academy course for years, Borchers said.

More than 500 residents have gone through the Citizens Police Academy class since its introduction some 10 years ago.

Trina Bondio of Chalmette said she would recommend others take the class because, “It’s hands-on and you can ask questions. There are things you never knew about.”

Also, Bondio was intrigued after seeing displays of weapons and equipment such as a bomb robot to check suspicious items, a less-than-lethal shotgun which fires bean bags so a suspect isn’t killed and a chemical weapon gun that can tear gas.

Bondio said, “It makes you feel safe here because I didn’t know the Sheriff’s Office has this type of equipment and officers who know what to do with it.”

Anyone interested in taking the free Citizens Police Academy course the next time it is offered should contact Capt. Borchers at (504) 278-7628.