The plinks and plunks make the darkened room at Halifax Community College sound like a video arcade.

Left, Harold Phillips fires as Herbert Williams watches. Right, one of the targets. 

Indeed, there is a video game being played where high scores are being kept and officers shoot at balloons, balls and creatures like in the whack a mole game.

After the fun, however, the scenarios get real and help officers decide whether they should use deadly force.

Officers from the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office used the firearms simulation training Tuesday.

“It’s probably the closest thing you can get to realistic situations,” Deputy Emerson Carroll said after going through training which involved hostage situations and suspects on the screen unexpectedly drawing weapons. “It’s going to be a split second decision. This training here helps.”

Carroll was pleased with his performance in the interactive training. “I am satisfied with the instructions and good commands given. When I shot the bad guy, I hit him where I intended to hit him.”

Carroll said the training does something else. “It recalls my muscle memory and instincts in the use of deadly force. I would say it’s good training.”

The deputy said he had a good time competing with other officers in the clay target competition.

When it came time for the scenarios, Carroll believed he walked away a better officer. “This helps me to protect the citizens who can’t protect themselves.”

The scenario portion of the training took offers through heated domestic situations, a crowd control scene where a man strapped with dynamite crossed a police line and one scenario where nearly everyone in the house tries to shoot at the responding officers.

Left, a real life scenario begins. Right, Williams fires.

Watching the training was Greg Parker, an HCC law enforcement continuing education instructor. He helps the officers with their shooting and observes them as they practice the scenarios. He can also control the intensity of the situation through the laptop which the software runs on.

The different scenarios can take the officers through weapons training and training using Tasers, batons and pepper spray. While the room was darkened to accentuate the images on the screen, there is also a scenario for lowlight situations in which the officers use the guns and flashlights which come with the software.

The training counts toward the 24 hours of continuing education officers must receive, Parker said. “It’s about whether to use deadly force. It’s about the decision making process.”

Left, Parker demomstrates for Robert Wade. Right, Wade fires.

One of the most high tech programs on the market — there is another which shoots back rubber pellets at the officers — Parker said the college has been using the system for the past eight or nine years.

While the training does not count for firearms qualification, the target practice section of the program does help them. “The shooting skills will help you improve and I’ve seen officers use it who see their scores go 50 percent up.”

Deputy Jason Keeter enjoyed the class. “I think it’s a helpful tool. It helps with muscle memory.”

Keeter said he believes the class is also economical and keeps officers from wasting valuable rounds of ammunition.

“I liked the scenarios,” Keeter said. “It put you in live situations and makes you think.”