PRISim Training

[Lucky1]

Has anyone here had this training? If so, what do you think about it. I have the training comming up next week.

The program, which provides true-to-life situations for officers to respond to, is called PRISim, which stands for Professional Range Instruction Simulator. PRISim is set up in a classroom at the Training Center and consists of a large screen hung on one wall, a pole and a car door from a police unit in front of the screen, a projector and air-powered laser guns. An overseeing officer operates the equipment from a nearby computer.

The projector plays a video on the screen—almost like a movie on television—of actors in “criminal” roles. For example, one scenario depicts a disturbance in a restaurant in which a man holds his female companion and the officer in training at gunpoint. Another scenario has two men assaulting a woman in her home. One man is holding a knife and the other man suddenly pulls a gun on the officer in training.

The officer must use verbal commands to try to control the situation, but must know when to fire the gun if the situation escalates. The computer equipment records the officer and replays his or her reactions and movements so that the officer can study what was done correctly and incorrectly. The program will shoot plastic pellets to simulate gunfire at the officer if he or she does not promptly shoot the perpetrator in order to help the officer practice timely response.

PRISim also provides warm up exercises, such as a still target (bottle), then a moving target (floating shapes). The gun is air-powered and projects a laser at the screen, and the computer monitors when and where the laser is fired. Officers must handle and the gun as it was a real one. Actually, the guns are Smith & Wesson Model 5906 9mm service weapons that have been converted to laser guns.

PRISim forces officers to act at precise moments as a situation elevates. It also teaches the officers to use cover—the pole and the car door in front of the screen. The officers have to move with the target and respond to the people on the screen with verbal commands, not just physical actions. The training officer at the computer can control the situation as necessary, providing some surprises and varying the scenarios.

PRISim will help officers discipline themselves, because when one’s heart rate and adrenaline elevates, it is harder to be aware of one’s surroundings. As officers practice with PRISim, they will improve their aim and the timeliness of their shot and be able to remain calm enough to take immediate action to prevent a criminal from harming others.

[Switchback]

It's just a FATS system that shoots back. I have used them. They are GREAT! I just wish the pellets hurt a little more. It's not as good as force-on-force with simunition rounds. It is great for those without the facilities/equipment and is also a lot easier on time and manpower for more realistic training.

Believe it or not, there is a lot more to it than you are letting on. The scenarios are endless and can be custom tailored. There are multiple endings to scenarios, so if you get to a scenario (which, odds are, would take multiple training sessions) it may have a completely different ending.

Great training! Enjoy.