Healthier, Safer, Advanced Physical Training
PICTURED ABOVE:
DOCJT Physical Skills Training Supervisor Jarad Northern debuts upgrades to the Weber Gym mat room. Advancements include safer flooring, new technology and more. (Photo by Kelly Foreman)
Upgrades to the mat room training facility inside the Department of Criminal Justice Training’s Weber Gym are providing a safer, healthier environment for recruits while simultaneously advancing training.
Work is nearly complete and officers in training are already reaping the benefits, said Physical Skills Training Supervisor Jarad Northern. The mat room is used for a range of physical and defensive skills training, including edged-weapon defense, handcuffing techniques and ground fighting recovery. DOCJT Tactical Training Branch Manager Rob Ramsey said roughly 90% of altercations end up on the ground.
To protect recruits, a new floor made from specialty foam was installed, Northern said.
“It’s a progressive-style foam so the top part is a little softer, but if you were to impact it with your head or elbow, it basically stops the force in a progressive style,” Northern said.
Additionally, the floor’s design protects against the spread of illness by eliminating mat seams where bacteria previously lurked. A cleaning system designed to further prevent illnesses also was purchased and is used by every recruit class immediately after utilizing the space.
“Anytime you can give a recruit a safer, healthier and advanced training environment, then you’ve hit all three goals,” Northern said.
Two of the mat room’s four walls are comprised primarily of windows. Northern said the training staff discussed that recruits who would work third shift after basic training were at a disservice because they were receiving training in daylight, but would be performing critical tasks during dark hours. As part of the upgrades, all the windows were covered with solid black vinyl to simulate a nighttime environment.
A series of LED lights were installed to replicate the flashing of a cruiser light bar. A new computer system allows instructors to incorporate a multitude of sounds and activities to raise the level of training (see video below).
“Some of your flaws and the best training come out when you add a little bit of stress. Not just the lights, now it’s dark, you have screaming, sirens, gunshots and a dog barking,” Northern said. “That is probably one of the most important things we have done and the recruits absolutely love it.”
The computer system is accompanied by two smart screens, which has transitioned the mat room into a fully-operational classroom. Heavy bags were installed on a rail system, replacing the old “Bob” punching dummies that often leaked and were difficult to move.
“It is a top-notch mat room,” Northern added. “It’s going to be hard to find anything like that around here.”
