Police officers have to make split-second decisions under extreme pressure. During their career, most officers experience 750 traumatic incidents while assisting at major accidents, violent homicides, domestic abuse cases and other violent scenes, according to Sgt. Nate Kunkle. He oversees the De-escalation and Force Training Unit for Montgomery County Police Department.
After completing six months of training at the Police Academy in Gaithersburg, four weeks of additional skill set training followed by 14 weeks on patrol with a senior officer, officers learn how to deal with pressure.
Just like professional athletes, officers’ responses become almost instinctive.
That was one of the lessons learned Thursday at Media Day at the Montgomery County Safety Training Academy where reporters got to role play. Police leaders explained their responsibilities in the community and shared what goes into arrest and missing persons reports.
During the four-hour presentation, MCM shot a pepper pellet gun used to subdue suspects. The gun emits a noxious smell similar to black gunpowder. Media guests also practiced when and where to shoot a taser using a virtual reality simulation. It was a short version of a day in the life of a police officer.
Local media got a hands-on look (literally!) at how MCPD officers are trained during Media Day at the Public Safety Training Academy. From use-of-force scenarios to de-escalation tactics, reporters stepped into the shoes of recruits to see how they train for the real world.#MCPD pic.twitter.com/vgWgW5vz6W
— Montgomery County Department of Police (@mcpnews) April 11, 2025
