Shoot or don't shoot: FBI, members of the media take part in simulated use-of-force training
MILWAUKEE -- Shoot or don't shoot: On any given day, federal agents and other law enforcement officials can be placed in life-or-death situations, forced to make split-second decisions. On Wednesday, November 8th, special agents with the FBI took part in use-of-force training, as did members of the media.
"The system does utilize simulated weapons that function off a CO2 cartridge," Eric McKinney, FBI special agent said.
Eric McKinney, FBI special agent
Inside the FBI Milwaukee Division's headquarters, McKinney explained how the training simulator works.
"This is a decision-making process," McKinney said.
It allows agents to experience real-life tactical scenarios, played out on a large screen. The focus of the training was determining if and when deadly force is justified in the field.
"You just, under our deadly force policy, you have to be able to articulate why you did that," McKinney said.
Jonathon Gregg
On Wednesday, FBI officials put the media through the paces to demonstrate how quickly officers must react.
"If you are reacting to a subject's actions, you're already behind the curve," McKinney said.
After each scenario, members of the media were able to debrief with McKinney and other FBI officials.
"He began to reach and continued to reach behind his back even with the commands to stop," FOX6's Jonathon Gregg said.
FBI use-of-force simulation
FBI use-of-force simulation
FBI use-of-force simulation
FBI use-of-force simulation
"And the fact that you're giving him commands not to move and you're being very clear about it -- he's clearly disobeying those commands and he's reaching in a high-risk area," McKinney said.
FBI use-of-force simulation
The simulated training is one of many methods the FBI uses to train its agents in use-of-force -- and accurately represents just how fast law enforcement officials have to act in dangerous situations.