Montgomery Co. hosts "Shoot! Don't shoot" police training
HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Civilians rarely have the opportunity to understand what happens from the police point of view during a routine traffic stop.
Tuesday night, deputies with Montgomery County Precinct 4 and the Citizen's Constable Academy tried to show them.
The program is called "Shoot/ Don't shoot."
It's a ten week training course that meets each week, showing civilians what police can face on the job.
Participants are given "simulation" weapons that fire a hard soap-like bullet.
Deputies pose as the "bad guy" in the exercise and the civilian must choose: shoot or don't shoot.
"Oh, (it's) a split second decision," said Kevin Patel, who participated.
"You don't know, you've got to keep your eyes open everywhere. You have to control the crowd. It's a difficult job. I imagine how hard it must be on these guys."
