Class of sheriff’s Citizens Police Academy uses firearms simulator for split-second decision on shooting a suspect; Call 278-7628 to take free course

Kathie Acosta of Chalmette and Judith Blanchard of Violet hold guns powered by CO2 gas as they view a video scenario on a screen in a firearms simulator program to determine if they would fire on a criminal suspect in the video.

Magdelen Rodrique of Chalmette, left, and Fredonia Russell of Violet, using the firearms simulator. At the controls of the video scenarios in the background is sheriff’s Maj. David DiMaggio, director of training for the Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff’s deputy Daniel Bostic looks as a video, prepared toi fire, as he does refresher training on the firearms simulator that was loan to the Sheriff’s Office from the state Attorney General’s office.

Natalie Seaton, left, and Patsy Cantrell, both of eastern St. Bernard Parish, are shown from behind, with a video on a screen in front of them.

“Resistance” was a word that kept coming up, as St. Bernard Parish residents described using a firearms simulator in the current sheriff’s Citizens Police Academy class, which put them in the shoes of a policeman to decide whether to shoot a criminal suspect.

The simulator, on loan from the state Attorney General’s office, uses computerized videos of situations a real officer could face that are blared on a screen. Members of the free class given by the Sheriff’s Office then make a quick decision whether to fire on a suspect – the same decision an actual officer would have to make.

The simulator is always a popular feature of the 10-week Citizens Police Academy course. Anyone interested in more information about the annual class or other free classes given by the Sheriff’s Office, including “Refuse to be a Victim,’’ being held in December, should call Capt. Charles Borchers at (504) 278-7628

“It was a highlight of the class,’’ said Kathie Acosta, a teacher from Chalmette, said of the firearms simulator after she took part in the program on Oct. 2. “It shows the kind of decisions cops have to make.’’ She and about 35 others are in the current Citizens Police class.

“You get the simulation of what happens without the reality of facing what really happens’’ between police and suspects,’’ said Jamie Downes of Chalmette, another participant.

Jake Bivona of Violet said the video scenarios “were so realistic. You can see what police may have to go through each day.’’

After going through the program, Natalie Seaton of Violet said she understood that seeing someone breaking into your car at a distance may not give you legal standing to shoot them if they aren’t a threat to you, but that you do have cause to shoot if they are coming into your home or a threat or otherwise a threat to harm you.

“How you perceive something at first may not be the way it really is,’’ she added.

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

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,’’

Sheriff’s Deputy Eric Wickbolt, who watched as his wife, Melissa, and children, Eric and Alexis, used the simulator, said, “This is realistic’’ in the ways police are shown in various videos responding to calls or stopping motorists, such as responding to domestic situations or disturbances of other types. “I have been on calls similar to these,’’

St. Bernard sheriff’s deputies also did refresher training on the firearms simulator during the days it was on loan to the Sheriff’s Office.

Two members of the class at a time taking part were armed with handguns powered by CO2 gas. Participants view a video of officers on a call and see various situations that might arise, including a motorist pulling a weapon at a traffic stop 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.

Also, Citizens Police Academy participants the same night were shown displays of weapons from the SWAT team and equipment such as a bomb robot used to check suspicious items, a less-than-lethal shotgun which fires bean bags and a chemical weapon gun for firing tear gas.

More than 500 residents have taken the Citizens Police Academy course since its introduction some 10 years ago.