Sgt. Sharon Blakney of the Darlington Police Department took part in firearms training simulations held at DPD last week. Photo by Samantha Lyles
By Samantha Lyles, Staff Writer, slyles@newsandpress.net
Regular citizens got the chance to virtually step into the shoes of a law enforcement officer last week as the Darlington Police Department invited members of the public to try out a firearms training simulation.
“Through a partnership with the South Carolina Municipal Association, we’ve been able to conduct FATS (Firearms Training Simulator) training,” said Kelvin Washington, Chief of Police for the City of Darlington. “The simulator is interactive, and it shows scenarios that police officers all over the country encounter pretty much every day. We are training and testing officers based on their response to these kinds of situations… sometimes the folks in the simulated scenario will listen to the officers, and sometimes they will not.”
DPD Sgt. Sharon Blakney experienced this situation when the simulator dispatched her to a domestic dispute in a public parking lot. While Blakney focused on the male suspect, who behaved aggressively toward both his wife and police, the female suspect took her baby from its car seat and held it to her chest. In a shocking plot twist, she then produced a gun from the baby’s blanket and opened fire, killing both her husband and Blakney’s simulation avatar.
“It was very realistic. It took my breath away,” said Blakney, who serves as the police department’s evidence custodian. “I’m not on patrol, and working in evidence I’m kind of sheltered. This was a dose of reality.”
Chief Washington also invited members of the clergy, educators, local government officials, and community leaders to try the FATS simulator.
“I’m pretty sure it’s going to be nerve-wracking,” said Anthony Hall, president of the NAACP’s Darlington branch. “I’m not gun enthusiast, but I’ve seen this sort of training on TV… I won’t be surprised if I wind up making a mistake and getting shot or shooting the wrong person.”
Darlington City Council member Elaine Reed said she felt compelled to try the simulation because “as an elected official, I feel like it’s my obligation to understand what we are asking (our police) to do in order to keep our city safe… and this is the closest I can get to being in their shoes.”
Dr. Brian Sherwood, lead pastor at First Baptist Church of Darlington, agreed to try it for reasons both personal and professional.
Sherwood’s brother is a police officer in Atlanta, and FATS gave him a glimpse into the pressure-filled situations police see regularly. Also, Sherwood noted that in the age of active shooter events, it is increasingly important for church members and clergy to increase their awareness and vigilance.
“We wanted them to come in and experience the training to get an idea of what police officers encounter on a day to day basis,” said Washington. “Our hope is that they will get a better understanding and appreciation for what officers encounter.”
