DCSO deputies train on tactics, driving skills

DCSO deputies train on tactics, driving skills

The four deputies got a call about a domestic disturbance. They hopped in their patrol cars and headed to the scene. As they drove, their patrol cars skidded on icy roads.

When they arrived at the home, they heard a slap and then a woman's scream. As they entered, a man and woman were yelling at each other. “Sheriff's office,” announced one of the deputies as the man turned to confront the deputy and his partner.

That was the scene that played out Wednesday during a Douglas County Sheriff's Office training session at the Douglas County Fairgrounds.

In reality, the four deputies were driving what's called a skid car, especially designed to help them improve their pursuit driving skills. And the domestic disturbance they confronted was actually a video projected on a large screen by a use-of-force training machine.

The four deputies were among about 60 deputies — including patrol deputies, detectives and investigators — who are taking part in the training this week, said Deputy Dwes Hutson, spokesman for the sheriff's office.

He said the department tries to the do the training annually to help deputies brush up on use-of-force decisions, emergency driving skills and defensive tactics.

“Pursuit driving and use of force are probably a couple of the highest-liability issues we have in law enforcement,” Hutson added. “We like to make sure deputies are prepared when they have to use these skills in real-world situations.”

The training is a way for deputies to comply with regulations that require they receive a certain number of hours of ongoing training, Hutson said.

Elsewhere at the fairgrounds, other deputies practiced defensive techniques by punching and kicking a rubber mannequin. And in one area of the parking lot, deputies were practicing backing up patrol vehicles.

Jerry Johnson, a retired sheriff's office deputy, was training deputies in the skid car. He sat next to deputies in the vehicle, turning levers on a box that reduced the traction on either the front or the rear wheels of the car, leading to either front-wheel or rear-wheel skids.

He teaches deputies that the best way to respond is to make any changes smoothly, whether it's hitting the brake or gas pedal or turning the steering wheel, he said.

He said he trains deputies to only go as fast as is safe. “We tell them to drive safely,” he said. “If they don't make it to the call, they can't help.”

Back inside a fairgrounds building, Deputy Ken Berry explained how the Milo firearms simulator works, used to train deputies on use-of-force decisions.

He said people get a brief description of the situation facing them and then they have to respond. Deputies hold simulated guns and Tasers. When they use them, red dots on the screen show where the weapons deployed.

Berry said he can choose from about 100 different scenarios to display on the video screen. They include “domestic disturbances, suspicious vehicle activity and shooters,” he said.

“The biggest advantage is we can go back and play it over and see where the guys are at in terms of decision-making,” Berry said, “ ... how their judgment is working, to make sure they're making the proper decisions and proper use of force.

“I think it's terrific,” said Patrol Sgt. Tim Robeson of the use-of-force training equipment. “It gives you a lot more realism.”

Robeson said he'd found training on driving skills and defensive tactics useful as well.

“It's all important,” he said. “It's all a package.”

• You can reach reporter Kathy Korengel at 541-957-4218 or by e-mail at kkorengel@newsreview.info.



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