The Hampton Police Department wrapped up its first citizens academy last week in Iowa Falls as attendees of the academy got to learn about, and use, a use of force simulator on the campus of Ellsworth Community College.
Mike Emerson, a Criminal Justice instructor at E.C.C., led the class and discussed the importance of the simulator for law enforcement. Hampton Police Captain, Michael Halsne, tells Radio on the Go News the simulator is similar to those that officers use during training.
*Halsne #1
“When I went through college, we had what we called a FATS machine. It’s a firearms training simulator. You go into it and you’ll have a situation where the person running the machine can choose the outcome depending on how the officer is handling it through commands. It just helps to dictate how the officer is going to react to whatever situation develops in front of them on the screen. Ellsworth Community College was kind enough to provide us with the Milo system, which is very similar to what I had in 2007. It’s just a more updated system. The participants of the academy class also partake in that so they could kind of see what it’s like to go through some of those real quick decision-making things that officers have to do on a day to day basis around the country and why those types of situations can develop very quickly.”
A variety of topics were covered during the academy last month including traffic stops, OWI impairment, CPR/AED and nuisance enforcement. Halsne says the police department plans on hosting another academy in 2025.
*Halsne #2
“At the wrap up of the class, I told the participants, please send me an email with any suggestions that you have because obviously it was our first one. So there was some stuff that we realized that we need to change. And then there’s some other stuff that, you know, some people would like to see done differently. And a couple of the suggestions that were just made, I completely agree with. And I think those are gonna be great additions to our next one we’re hoping to have in February of 2025. So that way we’re doing it when it’s not so nice out, maybe some people don’t have other things going on a little bit, you know, since it’s one of those deals when you do it in May, people find other things to do. So we’re hoping to get a few more participants maybe next year.”
Classes were taught by police officers, city staff and emergency medical staff with 11 participants attending the academy.
(Pictured are attendees at the final class held May 29th in Iowa Falls from left to right: Jennifer Burnham, Jay Schumann, Beverly DeVries, Dick Lukensmeyer, Robin Hanson, police chief Mark Morrison, police captain Michael Halsne, Bill Hittle IV, Chris Vanness, Mitch Williams, Terry Schwebke)
