‘Force To Be Reckoned With: Training To Become A Cop, Part 2’

See part 2 of ‘Force To Be Reckoned With: Training To Become A Cop’

Gord Martineau not only lived his experience as ‘officer for a day’ but wrote about it. Here’s his blog on what he learned during his impromptu ‘training day.’

We have all asked ourselves countless times, “why couldn’t the police have shot the suspect in the arm or the leg.or done something else to end a dangerous situation?”

The question takes on a whole different meaning when you are the one acting as the police officer and situation calls for a split second decision.

The Toronto Police called the media together Thursday to demonstrate situations and the tactics they use.

The day began with a classroom introduction to the various aspects of police training and the criteria they use to determine which avenue they will pursue in resolving a variety of situations.

Then it was on to the practical side of policing. We saw how they, for example, get a rowdy and potentially dangerous bar patron to calm down, listen and then comply with their request to leave the premises. But sometimes, that rowdy patron doesn’t listen and cannot be persuaded to leave . So what then? We were shown the physical steps police take to subdue someone.

When the physical approach is not enough, there’s the controversial Taser. This weapon has been called into question following the deaths of a few people either in custody or who had confronted police in highly emotional circumstances.

When physical force is not enough, there’s pepper spray. And if circumstances prevent its use (like a strong wind outdoors), the Taser is used. I was actually surprised to learn that Tasers are used over three hundred times per year in Toronto – with a fatal outcome being extremely rare.

When all of those tactics are unsuccessful, and as an absolute last resort, lethal force is called for.

We were then allowed to experience first hand, the firepower police possess when all other avenues of resolution have failed.

At one point in the tutorial, I and another media partner found ourselves in a room where a police officer took on the role of a man armed with a high powered rifle, who refused to drop it. He said to me “this one’s for you” as he loaded a round in the chamber and began pointing the weapon at me. I was left with no recourse.

I pulled the trigger.

We were left with a healthy respect for the sometimes extremely tense and dangerous situations police face every day, situations that can escalate in mere seconds.

It takes a clear head and solid, intensive training to do the job. Not a job I would want.