Left, Portage County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Mike Lukas is “attacked” by a suspect and “fires” his weapon accordingly. (City-Times photo)

City-Times Staff

Portage County Sheriff’s Deputies say they’re taking full advantage of the MILO System to keep their training current and muscle memory fresh.

MILO- Military Intergrated Laser Operations- is a computerized tactics simulation system whereby short scenarios are played out on a projection screen. A law enforcement officer can then participate as if it were a live- action scenario, shouting commands at suspects on the screen and role-playing dispatch communications.

Some of the scenarios call for use of deadly force and include an assault in a courtroom, a school shooting and a suspicious man trying to break into an amusement park fence.

Once each exercise if complete, the computer then determines if the deputy reacted to the scenario successfully and displays where the deputy actually fired the “weapon”.

“This is some extra training we get in whenever we have the chance to use the equipment,” said Deputy Mike Rayala, who controlled the computer while Deputy Mike Lukas fired “shots” with a prop handgun at the projection screen.

Rayala said department is “always training”, but this exercise helps prepare law enforcement officers for violent situations.

“We’ve been lucky, no one here has had to discharge their weapon (in defense) in several years,” Rayala added.

According to Rayala, the system travels around the state for training and is on loan from the Wisconsin Counties Association.