Recent headlines have drawn attention to the “use of force” by law enforcement and stirred debate over whether police responses to perceived threats have been justified or excessive. Northern Michigan University’s criminal justice department has obtained a new use-of-force simulator it plans to incorporate into the curriculum that offers 700 scenarios with multiple endings—some violent, some not. According to Charlie Mesloh, head of the department, this marks the first time such a simulator has been used in an education environment. They are typically reserved for police academy or professional training. He said the goal is to add a level of realism that traditional classroom lectures can’t provide and to help students develop rapid problem-solving skills under stress, as required for crisis intervention. 

Mesloh will demonstrate the simulator to members of the Criminal Justice Association student group at 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, in 231 Thomas Fine Arts. Media are welcome to attend and obtain photos/video/interviews. Please inform Mesloh in advance if you intend to cover the demonstration by calling 227-1616.

The simulator allows a subject to stand in front of a projection screen and virtually insert herself/himself into a video scenario ranging from an active shooter in a school to a seemingly routine traffic stop to diffusing a domestic violence situation. The subject must assess the evolving scenario quickly and determine whether force is necessary and, if so, what level of force would be sufficient.