SUNY Orange Foundation Funds Criminal Justice Simulator

MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. – With generous support and guidance from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, the SUNY Orange Foundation has funded the College’s purchase of a Response to Resistance Simulator that will enhance SUNY Orange’s Criminal Justice curriculum while at the same time expanding a partnership with the County that will facilitate simulation training for local law enforcement officers.

 

The recently purchased TL-100 Training Lab, manufactured by Ti Training, will allow SUNY Orange Criminal Justice students—those seeking law enforcement careers as well as students intending to enter such professions as legal affairs and social work—to experience simulated real-life scenarios regarding responding to resistance. Students will gain an advanced understanding of potential situations that they may encounter as law enforcement professionals, while students considering related careers will gain a fuller perspective of the real-time decisions and stresses that confront law enforcement agents.

 

“The College is grateful for this partnership and the work that the SUNY Orange Foundation put forth to facilitate it,” said Erika Hackman, vice president for academic affairs. “Being able to acquire this type of innovative equipment allows us to provide our students with more authentic learning experiences that will be extremely valuable to them in their careers. This gift demonstrates the level of academic excellence that is possible when the College and the Foundation work hand-in-hand with our partners in the community.”

 

“Many of our Criminal Justice students have aspirations of becoming sworn law enforcement officers and/or attorneys, and such scenario-based, hands-on educational demonstrations will provide them with a more comprehensive understanding of the police use of force continuum,” Dennis O’Loughlin, chair of the College’s Criminal Justice Department, explained. “In these scenarios, students will actually confront situations where resistance is present, and be subjected to the same stresses and decision-making choices as police officers.”

 

The College will also collaborate with local law enforcement agencies to offer access to the TL-100 for their training needs.

 

“I want to thank SUNY Orange, Dr. (Kristine) Young and the entire staff for their partnership on this simulation equipment,” Sheriff Carl E. DuBois said. “This program, which will provide real-world experience in a safe, secure environment, will help to enhance the already excellent training provided to law enforcement and, more importantly I believe, will save lives.  Instruction and practical student use of the simulator will further generate classroom discussion, exchanging of ideas, and will expand the curriculum.”

 

“As Orange County Executive, I am continually encouraged by the innovative and collaborative nature of our partners in government. This outstanding collaboration between the Sheriff’s Office and SUNY Orange is another example of combining services to save tax dollars and enhance services,” added Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus. “I am so proud that SUNY Orange takes it mission of educating and serving our community so seriously, this is truly a great new program for the law enforcement community.”

 

Many law enforcement professionals within the Hudson Valley are graduates of SUNY Orange. Over the years, under the guidance of O’Loughlin, the College’s Criminal Justice Department has nurtured mutually beneficial relationships with many local law enforcement agencies, including the Sheriff’s Office, Orange County Chief’s Association and Orange County District Attorney’s Office. These relationships regularly bring students into contact with members of the criminal justice community whose expertise augments the students’ classroom learning.

 

Situational training expands the participants’ understanding of tactics, weapons use, safety measures and complex situations. Scenarios challenge the trainees’ decision-making abilities, help develop life-saving skills and prepare participants to be highly effective in life and death situations. Those students in the classroom who are not actually participating in the simulation exercise will be able to critique the actions of participants and, in some scenarios, may be required to write reports and/or witness statements.

 

SUNY Orange offers associate’s degrees in criminal justice (designed for transfer to a four-year college or university) and police science (designed to prepare graduates for the workforce), as well as a certificate in law enforcement/security. The College maintains transfer agreements for criminal justice students with many four-year colleges and universities in the region.

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