In order for any non-lethal weapon to be effective accuracy is a must — and SIMs are no different. Training regularly with your shotguns and/or launchers will help reinforce the skills and tactics necessary for the effectiveness you need. Make sure you use the recommended ears, eyes protective equipment when using handling these weapons and deploying these munitions.
Here are some basic 12 Gauge and 37/40 MM Launcher drills to do.
Using a cover position, a shotgun with 3 dummy rounds inside weapon and 5 dummy rounds in a loading vest or carrier, standing approximately 25-30 feet away from a threat, start giving verbal commands while covering and loading two additional dummy rounds, firing two dummy rounds then advancing forward while loading the remaining dummy rounds, stopping at a safe distance to secure threat.
Then, have the subject respond in one of six ways:
- Once shot, have them comply to your verbal commands to get down;
- Once shot ,have them not comply to your verbal commands to get down – you have to bring them down, to which they comply safely;
- Once shot, have them not comply to your verbal commands to get down – you have to bring them down in which they use their body to resist and you may have to use knees or kicks to bring them down;
- Once shot, have them not comply to your verbal commands to get down – you have to bring them down in which they become more combative and actively resist use their body and hands to grab or strike you to resist and you may have to use a combination of tactics to bring them down;
- Once shot, have them not comply to your verbal commands to get down – you have to bring them down in which they become more combative and actively resist using their body and hands to grab or strike you; you may have to use a combination of tactics to bring them down and then they make the attempt to get back up on their feet;
- Once shot, have them not comply to your verbal commands to get down – you have to bring them down. Here they become more combative and actively assault the officer, showing resistance to the SIMs. You may have to decide to de-escalate or escalate your level of force or transition to another weapon.
