A Look at Pasadena Police Dept.’s Use of Force Simulator Training, Part Two

A journalist from KPCC, Erika Aguilar, is suited up with weapons as she samples first hand what officers might face in the field – Photo by Terry Miller

A Look at Pasadena Police Dept.’s Use of Force Simulator Training

Part 2

By Terry Miller

In 2011, Pasadena Police officers arrested (Felonies or Misdemeanors) 8,562 suspects. The same officers only used force 67 times to effect the arrest (.76 percent of the time). This is an astonishingly low figure statistically for a city the size of Pasadena.
Last week we explored some of the dangers officers face daily in any given situation and discussed first hand what it was like sitting in on one of the Use of Force Simulator classes.

Media representatives were invited to attend a class recently at the Police Firing Range and Training Center in which participants had the chance to see several different situations from an offcer’s perspective using a Power Point presentation, powerful videos of actual encounters and the Use of Force Simulator.
Officers Doug Hamblin and Anthony Russo, who led the class, and were joined by Lt. Riddle and Chief Sanchez who gave insightful perspectives on many different situations officers may face daily, sometimes involving the use of force. Officer Russo readily admits that even though he trains regularly at the range, he doesn’t always hit his target. Most officers have perhaps a 50% hit rate, statistically speaking.
In the wake of yet another shooting, this time at New York’s Empire State Building,police officers were again faced with making split second decisions. Police Commissioner Kelly in New York said these officers followed “proper police protocol.”

The police shooting near the Empire State Building last week is a testament to how quickly officers can fire off 16 rounds to take down an armed suspect.
However, some bystanders were also hit in the resulting exchange of gunfire. While no bystander was seriously hurt, it is a fact that even seasoned officers with extended training sometimes miss their mark in an emergency situation.
Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly reiterated Monday that officials believe that two patrolmen followed proper police protocol once Jeffrey Johnson pulled a pistol on them moments after he ambushed a former co-worker — an assessment supported by experts on police policy and training.
“When you’re told that someone just killed someone around the corner, and five seconds later that person identified as the shooter points the gun at you … it was the appropriate action to take,” Kelly said.
Dramatic security video of the Friday morning confrontation shows Johnson pointing the weapon at the officers, other pedestrians scattering and the two officers firing — one from very close range, the other while retreating.
The situation in New York is sadly a relatively common occurrence and police training is essential to prepare for such scenarios. Pasadena takes a proactive approach to police training and is constantly testing and educating the rank and file.

Phillip Sanchez, Pasadena Chief of Police said: “We have a well trained and experienced police force, however, as I always say, “A perfect tactical responses is like a Unicorn: Everyone knows what one looks like – no one has ever seen one…”

It is a valid point Chief Sanchez makes and as a state of the art police department evolves,instruction in tactical concepts for law enforcement officers; defensive tactics; special weapons and tactics (SWAT); crisis management; firearms; tactical operations; hostage negotiations; and communications with other first responders, such as the fire department, is critical.
A 1999 BJS report estimated that less than half of 1 percent of an estimated 44 million people who had face-to-face contact with a police officer were threatened with or actually experienced force. Other studies report similar statistics. It is these few situations, however, that attract public attention.

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