Holy Shit it's been a while. . Let's talk Tactical Village

Sorry folks, but the damn real world caught me and pulled me into the abyss of bullshit. One side note, I did take part in my normal Advanced Officer Training and as part of the curriculum they gave us an opportunity to take part in a "Tactical Village."

Here's a link to what I'm talking about:

Northern California Regional Public Safety Training Center

It consisted of several scenarios involving tactical entries into a makeshift house and a series of makeshift office spaces simulating the District Attorney's office.

The weapons we used were standard department issue Sig Sauer P226R .40 cal. pistols loaded with Simunitions rounds (Sort of a hard detergent round that comes in multiple colors and stings like a bitch when you are struck).

The scenario involving the house involved a partner and I entering what was supposed to be a response to an alarm call at a home. We entered, made our presence known and meticulously cleared each room until we came across a long hallway with four doorways (two left, two right). As we cleared the hallway, I approached the last two rooms and WHOOSH!

A possible suspect ran across my field of vision and dropped what seemed to be a white toaster (later found to be a white duffel bag filled with something hard). At this point, I didn't see a weapon, and like a good partner, my backup grabbed my belt from the rear and backed my out of the hallway to the front room where we assumed cover at the left corner entry area to the hallway. Tactical retreat.

At that point, I was almost behind cover when I saw what looked like an AR-15 come out of the room at the end of the hallway and fire one round towards us.

Had my partner not pulled my back into a tactical retreat, I am sure we both would have been meat.

The theory that tunnel vision and slow-motion occurs during a stressful situation is no joke. I could literally see the round flying down the hall and I heard the "whoosh!" past my head. No contact.

We radioed in for back-up and informed the evaluator that we were retreating from the house due to the type of weaponry involved (AR-15 vs. handguns = AR-15 wins).

Evaluator agreed. Good job.

Another set of scenarios dealt with a normal day where two officers are going to the D.A.'s office to review a report. Nothing big or stressful right?

Wrong.

The first door I arrived at I politely knocked and opened the door to. . .

A man with a butcher's knife in his left hand and the District Attorney over his lap. Again, tunnel vision and slow motion as the butcher swung the knife in a downward motion to the D.A.'s back.

Out comes my .40 and out goes (8) eight rounds into his heart. Radio traffic for Code 3 cover, EMS, shots fired, ahhHH!H!H!

Done. Good job.

Next door, . . . .

Knock, knock. .

Open. .

Man with pistol pointing my direction and D.A. on the ground, I think he was tied up.

Slow motion drawing of my pistol and simultaneous fire from his pistol and mine. I move slightly to the right for cover as I fire. (6) Six rounds to the heart. (3) Three of his rounds whizz past my left arm and strike the wall behind me. Partner unloads (6) six round as well and strike in a fist sized group just south of his right lung.

At this point my radio traffic goes to poop. I call for Code 3 cover, EMS, Fire, Swat, THE WORLD!. . .hehe. . after a few seconds of thinking it through and evaluator assistance, I reduce the Code 3 cover and inform main via radio of the update, Officer involved shooting, (1) One suspect down, D.A.'s office, all units reduce, send EMS.

Good Job.

At the last room, I had to stop and give myself a second to do some combat breathing to slow my heart rate.

Breath, breath, knock, knock. .

Open.

Man with a bat to the left, D.A. tied up and seated in a chair.

I immediately draw my weapon and start barking out commands for the suspect to drop the bat and get on the ground.

He screams colorful expletives back at me.

I tell him "Put the bat down or you are getting shot."

He puts the bat down and lays down face down, arms out, palms up.

Cuff, Cuff. Search, remove weapon, call backup and EMS, check D.A. for injuries.

Done deal. . .

The tactical village was designed, interestingly enough, by some L.A. movie studio. It is equipped with multiple rooms built into a warehouse, a second floor observation catwalk, CCTV monitoring, movable parts and walls, and fully furnished.

Great stuff. . .

Anyways . .I'm looking into picking up a barely used Glock 19 9mm pistol with two high cap mags and two regular mags for a decent price. I'll update you with pics when I get it.

Be prepared and train your mind to expect the unexpected.