For first time ever, jail staff to undergoe formal firearms training

Whitley Deputy Jailer Josh King is one of 40 jail staff to begin firearms training this week.

For the first time deputy jailers at the Whitley County Detention Center are training to become certified in the use of firearms … and they are utilizing a state-of-the-art virtual reality training system in order to achieve that goal.

All 40 of the deputy jailers at the Whitley County Detention Center began firearms training this week on the MILO Range PRO Use-of-Force training simulator this week. The system – which consists of a computer pre-loaded with dozens of law enforcement training scenarios, a life-size screen, projector and simulation firearms – will provide the basis for certification in the use firearms by jail staff, said Whitley County Jailer Ken Mobley.

"It’s the first time it’s ever been done, I think, at the jail," Mobley said. "When we take somebody to court or transport them from here to places all over the state, our deputies have got to be armed. I just think it’s a good thing if they are certified in the use of those firearms. Every law enforcement agency does it, so we’re are going to as well."

The MILO system was provided to the jail by the Kentucky Association of Counties, a non-profit group that represents the interests of county governments in the state.

Each MILO system includes real pistols that wirelessly interact with the training simulator. Jail staff will also be training on the system in the use of pepper spray and tasers.

Steve Lundy, who serves as a Major at the jail over all the guards, is in charge of firearms instruction. He oversaw similar instruction at the Corbin Police Department during his 29-year career there before he retired in 2009. He said the MILO system provides an effective and "safe" way to present realistic situations to deputies and teach them how to respond appropriately.

"It’s very good. It’s virtual reality," Lundy said. "These guys will get nervous during some of these. You will see some of them break out into a sweat. They will react just like they would out on the street."

Lundy said the new MILO system is much more advanced than the previous FATS system he formerly used while at the Corbin Police Department.

And MILO has scenarios specifically tailored to corrections employees, like loading prisoners in and out of vehicles and courtroom incidents.

"It’s very specific," Lundy said. "The good thing about it is that not all of these are shoot situations. Some of them, you can’t shoot. We want to teach them that you can’t just shoot somebody because, for instance, they are escaping. There has to be certain criteria to go along with that."

Mobley said that his deputy jailers only carry firearms when they are outside the detention center with inmates.

"Even if they just have them one percent of the time, I still think they should be qualified with them and know how to use them properly," Mobley said.

About 40 of the detention center’s staff will go through MILO training. Lundy said each person will have to complete a minimum of two hours on the simulator, but everyone is encouraged to do more. He added that while those training on the machine for the first time are a bit apprehensive when presented with stressful situations, or are forced to talk to the screen, they soon overcome their fears.

"At first, its kind of hard if you aren’t used to it," Lundy said. "A police officer is used to talking in these type of situations, but this is new to these guys. They actually get to where they enjoy it after a while, though. At first they are apprehensive, but then they get used to it and they will get in line to use it."

Some of the scenarios include jail escapes, inmates getting unruly in the courtroom or overpowering bailiffs, and even violent scenarios where inmates seize weapons and attack.

Mobley said some of his deputy jailers have never had the opportunity to even shoot a firearm. For them, the training is vital.
Once completed, both Mobley and Lundy said deputy jailer would also complete live-fire training on a firing range adjacent to the jail. Once complete, they will be certified in the use of firearms.

The certification is important, because when inmates escape custody, jail staff is often the ones that hunt them down.

"We’ve gotten every one that’s ever walked off from here," Mobley said. "We always go get them."

Lundy said deputy jailers would continue live-fire training annually to stay sharp and keep up on their certification.