The Firearms Instructor Issue 50 9 effective when used in conjunction with threat targets. Officers are forced to draw, decide and act quickly when confronted. Reality based training is a great way to expose officers to scenarios that require proper use of force decision making as well as combat speed and accuracy. When com- bined with a proper debriefing, reality based training offers a holistic use of force train- ing regimen. The use of properly designed reality based training scenarios provides an opportunity for officers to utilize their skills in simulated combat conditions. Properly designed and managed reality based training scenarios are fun and exciting for officers and can be used by instructors to evaluate other training needs. Lastly, computer generated scenarios can supplement this type of training. Computer simulated use of force decision making sce- narios can provide additional training oppor- tunities keeping our training programs fresh and interesting. Multiple use of force tools can be incorporated into these scenarios allowing officers to transition their handgun combat speed and accuracy skills to other tools such as pepper spray and Taser. Conclusion It is up to us as firearms instructors to con- tinue to develop courses of fire that are more practical and realistic. We need to continue advancing our training programs and cur- riculum from simple qualification to combat preparation. We need to be passionate about firearms training in order to generate excite- ment in the officers we train. We need to continue to push the skill level of our officers without creating a training environment that embarrasses those we serve. Our officers deserve to be trained to the highest possible standards. Let us set those standards by pro- viding realistic combat speed and accuracy training. TFI “Never let the ghost of an officer say the firearms instructors failed to do their jobs.” –author unknown About the Author Sgt. Todd Fletcher is currently assigned to the Training Division of the Bend (OR) Police Department. He has 15 years of law enforce- ment experience. Todd is currently a defensive tactics, Taser, collapsible baton, OC, Use of Force and Firearms Instructor. He is also an AR-15/M-16 and Glock armorer. Todd has testified as an expert witness in cases involv- ing police training and use of force. He can be contacted at tfletcher@ci.bend.or.us. Ofc. Victor Umnitz and Ofc. Jared Adams Bend (OR) Police Department working on combat speed and accuracy drills.