The St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office donated a Firearms Training Simulator to the UL Lafayette Police Department on Wednesday during a ceremony at Abdalla Hall.
Law enforcement and security personnel from around the area will use the virtual training system to practice decision-making skills during mock scenarios that play out on a portable video screen.
The Firearms Training Simulator, which was developed by Meggitt Training Systems, combines elements of virtual technology to test officers’ ability to resolve potentially deadly situations. They are forced to make split-second decisions as to whether they will need to use a firearm, a baton, pepper spray or verbal commands.
Officers who use the system train in a safe, controlled environment, but often experience physiological and cognitive changes that could affect their reactions and judgment, said University Police Chief Joey Sturm.
“It’s the next best thing to being in an actual situation,” Sturm said. “Defensive tactics instructors and firearms instructors can observe and monitor the scenario, and give feedback to the officer.”
Dr. Joseph Savoie, UL Lafayette president, thanked the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office for making the training system “available to not only the University Police force, but also police forces throughout Acadiana.”
“This is going to improve public safety, which is in everyone’s best interest, and we’re committed to doing the best that we can to share this sophisticated technology with as many law enforcement officers as possible,” Savoie said.
The system will be housed at the University’s Emergency Operations Center, a location that will benefit law enforcement personnel from the St, Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, as well as other area agencies.
“It’s all part of a regional skills training concept, where we train regionally with area law enforcement,” Sturm said. “We have the space, and we’re centrally located as a hub in Lafayette.”
Representatives of UL Lafayette, the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Broussard and Henderson police departments attended the event.
St. Martin Parish Sheriff Ronald Theriot said housing the equipment at UL Lafayette will provide better access and training opportunities for more agencies. “It’s a win-win situation for everyone,” he said.
Photo: Dr. Joseph Savoie, UL Lafayette president, (left), and St. Martin Parish Sheriff Ronald Theriot, sign an agreement to house a virtual training system for area law enforcement personnel at UL Lafayette. Standing are Broussard Police Chief Brannon Decou and University Police Chief Joey Sturm.