In general terms, these exercises require LEOs to either advance toward a "simulated" combat threat or hold their ground behind the best cover available, while
delivering accurate "containment" fire
.
Fierce gun battles may also require officers to engage targets while waiting for backup to arrive, possibly render first aid to a wounded officer or civilian, and provide well-aimed covering fire while officers retreat from an ambush site. To simlate a real-world scenario, the ambush site would be controlled by officers playing roles as gang members, domestic or foreign terrorists, or hate group members who may have fire superiority and a greater sized enemy force.
To make this training realistic and raise the perceived threat level, I recommend that during such exercises law enforcement officers should be required to execute combat reloading drills, clear simulated or actual stoppages, drag a seriously wounded officer or civilian behind suitable cover, transition to another firearm, or train to use the downed officer's firearms and ammunition.
LEOs who train in this way practice providing covering fire for LEOs who are reloading or clearing simulated or actual stoppages while providing accurate covering fire while officers fall back.
It's imperative that these advanced firearms training exercises require LEOs under simulated attack to render basic first aid and learn to use the right expenditure of ammunition when they are forced to "hold the line" while they wait for backup.
