Sumter police train at Shaw Published April 12, 2006 By Tarsha Storey 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Controlled turns, breaking precision, backing and evasive driving are just a few techniques Sumter City Police Department officers practiced last week in two training courses set up at Shaw. The police officers took an emergency vehicle operations course and a precision driving course. Safety, controlled access to the training courses combined with the close proximity to Sumter make Shaw the ideal location. The next closest location with the same conditions is in Columbia, said Lieutenant Gary Fowler, Sumter City Police Department training officer. Each year, every Sumter police officer must complete these driving courses to operate their assigned vehicle. This year, the focus was on stopping and clearing intersections as well as backing maneuverability, Lt. Fowler said. "If a police officer fails the course, (he or she) cannot drive their vehicle until they complete remedial training and retest," Lt. Fowler said. The officers drive both courses using their assigned vehicle, which allows the officers to further understand the capabilities and limits of his or her patrol vehicle, Lt. Fowler said. The first course is called an emergency vehicle operations course. It is designed as a higher speed course. The officers traverse it at about 45 to 50 miles per hour, while simulating what they would have to do in a real life situation, said Corporal Mike Evans, Sumter Police Department training officer. During the EVO course, the vehicle’s brakes heat up, Cpl. Evans said. This can alter the stopping ability of the vehicle. Because of this, it is important the officers know when the brakes are hot and how to compensate for it and maintain control of their vehicle. Speed and breaking are not the only skills tested on the courses. During the whole process, safety is the main focus. The officers complete this course each year to help them polish and better control their steering, braking and acceleration, Cpl. Evans said. Cpl. Evans said the second course is the precision course. In this course, officers practice backing up, cornering and maneuvering. The officers also practice backing up in a strait line. An added benefit of the training, Cpl. Evans said, is the ability to address any bad driving habits that officers may have picked up. These courses allow the officers to refresh their driving skills. This yearly training is a portion of the 175 to 300 plus hours Sumter police officers complete each year, Lt. Fowler said. "There's a good relationship between the downtown police department and Shaw. For the past few years, we've been coming to Shaw (for the EVO and precision course training). They help us out a lot," Lt. Fowler said.