Objective: This non-shooting exercise was designed to acquaint participants with their visual limitations in a low light environment when discriminating between weapons and non-threatening objects.
Light Conditions: Reduced, but not totally dark. Dusk conditions are ideal. These conditions can be replicated indoors in a dimly lit room.
Distance: 7 yards
Props Needed: At least 3 non-threatening objects such as a cell phone, a small tactical flashlight, a pair of pliers, an eye glass case etc. and one weapon such as a small handgun or knife.
Assistants: One to monitor the line of participants, the other to act as the “unknown entity” holding the items. Ideally, the second individual holding the items should be dressed in dark clothing.
Begin Exercise: The monitor will have the participants line up where they cannot see the unknown entity holding the object. For example, I have participants line up parallel to the front of my classroom building. The monitor is positioned at the corner. When it’s their turn to ID the object, he calls them over one at a time where they now look down the side of building at the unknown entity off in the diminished light. The monitor allows them no more than a second or two to identify the object and then they step away back to the rear of the line. Participants should make a mental note of what they saw. Is it a threat? If this person was moving in an aggressive manner toward you, would you be justified in shooting? Run the exercise with all 4 items. The first segment is done in ambient light. Run the exercise again except this time, the shooter will utilize a handheld light source to assess the unknown entity. Again, make a mental note. Is it a threat or not.
For self-evaluation: How successful was your assessment without the light? Did it improve when you introduced the light? Use the light you really carry!
Mike Boyle is a retired law enforcement officer and has been active in use of force instruction for over 40 years. He has been a police academy assistant director, instructor, Rangemaster and is the author of 2 books, 3 training videos and hundreds of magazine articles on firearms, training and tactics. Mike served 21 years on the Board of Directors of the International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors. Mr. Boyle can provide instruction on various firearms disciplines including handgun, shotgun and low light threat management. He can be reached at mboyle308@gmail.com.
