For Immediate Release

Sergeant Anthony Prencipe

Sheriff John D’Agostini would like to respectfully invite all California Legislators to experience our “force option simulator training” at the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office.

The simulator gives participants a visceral experience of making split-second life and death decisions in the use of force, up to and including deadly force.  The training device uses mock-up service weapons in a highly realistic audio/visual scenario.

With the introduction of AB 931, there is a great deal of concern within law enforcement that the proposed changes, despite the bill’s intentions, could negatively affect the safety of the public and officers sworn to protect the public.

The use of deadly force by California law enforcement officers is already a matter of last resort.  Often a decision to discharge a weapon is made in seconds or less.

We want all lawmakers who will consider proposed changes to use of force laws to fully understand the decisions law enforcement officers in California face every day.  Sheriff John D’Agostini believes this invitation is vital to fully inform California’s lawmakers, whatever their position, as they debate this significant legislation.

Failure to experience the perspective of those in the line of duty could result in an uninformed debate and have dangerous effects within our communities.

We will schedule 4-hour training blocks with 10-legislators per session.  California lawmakers, from the California State Assembly and California State Senate, will receive mailed invitations to the training which will provide information on the date and times of the available training dates. Media will not be allowed inside of the training, to give legislators the freedom of a full experience.