The Sacramento Police Department is excited to announce a new and innovative tool available to officers and academy recruits designed to enhance their use of force training and knowledge.   

Earlier this year, the department purchased two “Force Options Simulators” (FOS) to enhance its existing use of force training.  One of the simulators is portable and capable of being moved to different police stations.  This provides all officers with access to the FOS regardless of their shifts or the police facility where they are assigned.  The portable FOS simulator was purchased with asset seizure money. 

The “theater” FOS is a multi-screen, immersive training tool that reinforces visual scanning and awareness.  Its videos are filmed in high definition with surround sound and provide a 300-degree realistic experience.  This training tool was purchased by funds allocated by the City Council in 2015.

Both simulators are designed to increase knowledge, skills and confidence in a safe, challenging scenario environment that is highly interactive and engaging.  These scenarios provide officers and academy recruits with a multitude of training options that are technology based and add a sense of realism that standard training cannot provide.  Officers and recruits are placed in realistic situations where their training is put to the test.  They are placed in situations where they must make split second decisions to use lethal or non-lethal options. 

For years, the department has conducted extensive de-escalation, crisis intervention and use of force training for its officers and academy recruits.  The Sacramento Police Academy takes pride in exceeding by almost double the Police Officer Standards and Training (POST) mandated hours.   With this new tool, officers will continue to be exposed to a variety of use of force exercises from the time they enter the academy throughout their professional careers.    

This new tool has proven to be cost effective for the department. The system can be operated by a single instructor, reducing the number of personnel needed to provide effective training.   

The Sacramento Police Department continually strives to improve the safety of its citizens through ongoing and cutting edge training of its officers.  This new tool provides an opportunity to reinforce and maximize officers’ appropriate decision making thereby continuing trust building with our community.