AUBURN HILLS, Mich. – Police officers know that on any given day, they may face split-second decisions with life-or-death consequences. That’s where advanced training comes in.
Local 4 was given a first-hand look at one of the ways police train for threats. A special training event took place at CREST Academy, located on the campus of Oakland Community College. The campus has a small mock-up of a community, featuring a home, a bank, a party store and more. It’s designed to give realistic training for real situations law enforcement officials may encounter.
Just like real life, there are distractions and external stimuli to process and those being trained need to be ready for anything.
In 2023, nearly 15,000 recruits and active duty officers trained at CREST Academy. The simulator adds modern technology to traditional training, simulating the risks and offering a perspective not seen in a classroom.
In an intense situation, emotional intelligence and the ability to remain calm can mean the difference between life and death.
The trainers say improving the relationship between police and the communities they serve starts here from the ground up.
“Citizens need to see things from the police vantage point and unfortunately, they often don’t get to unless they experience something like this,” said Local 4 crime and safety expert Darnell Blackburn. “But just as much, police need to see the citizens’ perspective knowing that citizens don’t understand, or grasp the concept of training.”
While there’s more work to be done, Blackburn said stories like this help bridge the divide between law enforcement and the public they’re sworn to protect.