IB次元官网网址檝e never held a gun, launched pepper spray, or used a baton. And IB次元官网网址檝e certainly never hit a police officer.
Until now.
As a part of a scheduled B次元官网网址渞eality-based trainingB次元官网网址� (RBT) exercise on May 29, members of the Victoria media were invited to partake in real life, stress-inducing scenarios put on by the Victoria Police Department, similar to their regular training regime.
Officers are required to take part in RBT training every six months, and take further specialized B次元官网网址渁ctive threat trainingB次元官网网址� every 18 months in order to be exposed to stressful and dynamic situations, while boosting their performance in critical thinking and reaction. Media were invited to partake in both.
It sounded intimidating beforehand, and our training grounds didnB次元官网网址檛 help calm my nerves.
We were led into a dark and dingy building with burnt out florescent lights, graffiti-marked walls, and broken furniture strewn across the rooms.
When we arrived at our training room, there were weapons laid out on a stained carpet: axes, knives, a bat with nails, a belt (to tie you back to mimic an injury), baby oil (akin to the slippery nature of fresh blood), and, just to add to the creepiness of the building, a toy doll (not quite sure what that was for).
Oh boy.... this is how my day began with reality-based training with
B次元官网网址� Nicole Crescenzi (@NicoleCrescenzi)
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 important for the media and the public to know what officers are going through,B次元官网网址� said Const. Kris Greffard, one of the leaders of the RBT.
I was given a thick, heavy belt lined with pockets and a holster. It was half empty, but still required two clips around the side to make sure it didnB次元官网网址檛 slide down.
The first lesson was how to assess a situation: when facing a suspect, do they have the ability, the intention and the means to cause grievous bodily harm or death? If yes, an action needs to be taken.
That brings us to step two: determine the action. Action is faster than a reaction, we were told.
First we learned about OC Spray, commonly known as pepper spray.
B次元官网网址淩emember being a kid and holding your hand above a candle?B次元官网网址� Greffard asked, B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 that kind of burning on your face, and when you touch it B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 worse.B次元官网网址�
We were each handed a simulation canister B次元官网网址� filled with water B次元官网网址� and taught to pull it out from our belts and fire right into the eyes of a man on a poster. His name was Ted.
B次元官网网址淲hen you blink, itB次元官网网址檚 like honey,B次元官网网址� she continued. B次元官网网址淚t gets all the way behind your eyes.B次元官网网址�
Next we learned about common fighting techniques: open palm slams, hitting with your elbows and knees.
Never in my life did I think I would ever fight a police officer, but here I was hitting, elbowing, kicking and yelling at an officer whose only defence was a thick training pad.
DonB次元官网网址檛 mess with police training story coming today.
B次元官网网址� Victoria B次元官网网址 (@VictoriaB次元官网网址)
We learned to deploy and use batons, and hit the police some more. And then, the real deal: were given simulated guns that, aside from the ammo, were the same pistols that police carry while on duty.
Our bullets were coloured pellets, and once again we aimed and fired at Ted B次元官网网址� this time I shot him right in the mouth.
Next came scenario training where you walk into a room with an actor, and make a split-second decision based on what you see: do you shoot the man? Is he armed? Will he shoot you? We each took part in three scenarios.
B次元官网网址淎ll of you were taking rounds,B次元官网网址� Greffard said in a follow-up talk. She meant we all got shot because we didnB次元官网网址檛 react fast enough. In another scenario some of us reacted too fast B次元官网网址� I shot a man reaching for a cellphone.
Next we went into team drills: going down a narrow hall with doors on both sides and trying to find someone on a warrant. The man grew violent, coming forward with a bat filled with nails. He was shot. In another situation, I was able to de-escalate a situation with a man wielding a crowbar.
De-escalating man with crowbar. with full story on training with
B次元官网网址� Victoria B次元官网网址 (@VictoriaB次元官网网址)
Finally, we worked through drills while facing an active shooter. In the same narrow hall, actors were on the floor, bleeding, while others shouted something about a shooter being nearby. The rat-tat-tat of an automatic gun went off from nearby speakers.
B次元官网网址淥pen door, right!B次元官网网址� our team leader, played by Const. Dylan Bruce said.
IB次元官网网址檇 approach the door, and shout B次元官网网址淏ack up!B次元官网网址�
My teammate would tap my shoulder and yell B次元官网网址渕ove!B次元官网网址�
We would enter and search the room before yelling B次元官网网址淐lear!B次元官网网址�
We did this room by room until we found the shooter. I hesitated and shot him, but not before he B次元官网网址榢illedB次元官网网址� one of us.
At the end of the day I felt drained, yet simultaneously my body was pumping with adrenaline B次元官网网址� it was a weird, frantic feeling.
I also felt a new found respect for police officers who work in these high-stress situations everyday, but with much higher consequences than a blue pellet mark on their chest when they make a mistake.
