Drug money seizures help fund simulated weapons training for Indiana County police

Patrick Varine | Monday, January 17, 2022 1:18 p.m.

Courtesy of Indiana University of Pennsylvania

IUP’s police department will train on Simunition FX training equipment, which was provided by funds seized during drug arrests by the Indiana County Drug Task Force.

Money seized during drug arrests in Indiana County is being used to help train police at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and throughout the county using realistic scenario-based training.

About $6,000 in funding was used to purchase equipment from the Simunition FX company, including 10 Glock pistols, four patrol rifle conversions and protective equipment such as helmets, neck protectors and gloves.

Simunition FX weapons have the feel of those used by law enforcement but are modified to fire marking cartridges, similar to a paint ball or blank round.

“Dangerous situations often occur during drug investigations, and our officers are prepared to address them safely,” Indiana County District Attorney Robert Manzi said. “We’ve seized funds from drug dealers in our county utilizing asset forfeiture laws and are investing those funds in law enforcement training.”

The program can serve up to 10 officers at a time, and IUP police plan to offer it annually. Officers are tasked with working through the scenarios and situations they might be confronted with.

“Instructors not only look for the encounter to end with the use of deadly force but how the officers deescalate the situation and if they can resolve it without the use of deadly force,” IUP police Lt. Christopher Rearick said. “The marking rounds allow for the officers and instructors to see where and when the shots are placed. Blank rounds are used to create reaction from officers or for weapon retention drills.”

Rearick, as well as IUP police Specialist Michael Porada, are certified instructors for both simunition and firearms training.

“Training to react to stressful situations properly is a skill that continuously needs to be honed. We all hope that such dangerous situations do not occur, but, when they do, we want our officers to have the training, ability and confidence to keep everyone safe, including themselves,” Manzi said.