SDTMA Force Options Simulator Question

Thu Sep 7 18:39:01 CDT 2017

I can give you my experience over the years!

When I was with SD Sheriff, we had an AIS Prism portable system that worked well for years. Company went out of business before being bought up by Cubic and I think they still support them. The latest PRIsim machine had scenarios filmed in HD (Sheriff has one installed at A Range in Miramar, still running?)  and had some decent scenarios, but the dry fire guns always seemed to work better than the recoil ones.

There are 5 agencies in SD County that got the grant for the VIRTA systems, not much experience on those, I'll let others chime in. Again, the recoil systems seem to always have issues vs the dry fire guns.

Currently PERT has a MILO system, portable, but same system SDPD uses at the academy. So far system has been great. We had some tech issues for a bit but the company responded well, got it up and running within a few weeks. MILO also works with other companies' accessories (like handguns) so you can get other company weapons cheaper. Right now we have 2 of the X26 Tasers but according to MILO, Taser is NOT making the X26 for them anymore so I'm not sure what MILO will be selling or what is compatible with the X26 (nothing that I know of in SD County). You're welcome to come see it in action at one of our many CRT classes.

The biggest issues in deciding factors seem to be (IMHO)....weapons vs decision making. Some companies' simulators are geared more towards shooting and shooting range sims, vs ones like MILO which have scenarios more based on LE decision making. The common weakness in ALL the  systems I've ever seen (which is about 8) seems to be the video scenarios...they are never long enough for actual talking/decision making, most have a shoot no shoot option within a minute or two. Lots of scenarios will be offered by most companies but you will quickly find that for street level LE in SD County, most are unusable since they are a straight ambush or you have to shoot within about 30 seconds. You can only train for so much reaction time when you have officers standing there with 30 pounds of less lethal gear on their belts NOT BEING UTILIZED, and in this day and age, de escalation and less lethal options are ALWAYS in play ( except for the shoot now scenarios of course).

MILO offers a free 3 day class (you have to fly to them in Michigan) on how to video record and create your own scenarios, since most companies will charge a hefty fee to come out and shoot videos for you. I know a couple other companies also will work with you in creating scenarios.

So decide WHAT you need the machine for, shooting range or decision making, then have your Detac and UOF instructors look at the scenarios being offered to see if it fits with your dept's paradigms and training needs.

If you want more info call me any time.

Thanks

Ken

Ken Smith, Training Coordinator
Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT)
A Division of Community Research Foundation
PO Box 421141
San Diego, CA 92142-1141
619-276-8112 Office
619-843-2222 Cell
[PERT logo SMALL17 - revised Nov. 2015]

From: Members [mailto:members-bounces at sdtma.org] On Behalf Of Adamson, Lee at DCA
Sent: Thursday, September 07, 2017 1:15 PM
To: members at sdtma.org
Subject: SDTMA Force Options Simulator Question

Good afternoon Training Group.  I have been tasked with seeing what other departments are using in terms of force options simulators.  Our Division is looking to purchase a system.  Specifically, we would like our simulator to be portable so it can be set up and utilized by staff throughout the state. Can you let me know if your department has a simulator and if so  what kind and what are the pros and cons that you have observed with your staff.

Thanks,
Lee

[cid:image009.jpg at 01D00FAF.EAC92A90]<http://www.dca.ca.gov/doi/index.shtml>

Lee Adamson, #123
Supervising Investigator
California Department of Consumer Affairs
Division of Investigation
Special Operations Unit
Tactical Training Section
1747 North Market Blvd., Suite #160
Sacramento, CA  95834
(916) 515-5126

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