Currently regulation allows the Force Options Simulator (FOS) to be used to meet the minimum topic requirements for Tactical Firearms Perishable Skill. While the FOS allows students to participate in decision-making scenarios, it does not allow the opportunity to gain proficiency in the use of the actual firearm.
Force Options Simulator training allows students to participate in at least three scenarios. Typically, these are: a ‘no-shoot’ scenario, a less-lethal’ scenario and a ‘shoot’ scenario. This means a student may potentially fire their gun in all three scenarios but they typically only do in two. It is possible that a student could participate in three scenarios and not fire the gun. They would then meet Tactical Firearms Perishable Skills without having fired their weapons or demonstrating proficiency with a firearm. Additionally, some of the FOS currently in use throughout the State are outdated, some do not accurately reflect student accuracy based on the way the machine is calibrated, while others may not allow for the student to use the same type of firearm that they use as their regular duty weapon. The removal of FOS as an equivalent for meeting the Tactical Firearms PSP requirement will ensure that officers are receiving the proper firearms training.
POST staff recognize that a new Continuing Professional Training (CPT) cycle has already begun, therefore there will be a transition period of three months to allow presenters to adjust their course offerings as needed. For the first half of the 2021-2022 CPT cycle, until this change takes effect, personnel will still be allowed to complete the Tactical Firearms Perishable Skills course using a FOS. However, all minimum topics shall be met as specified for Tactical Firearms. |