State police show off new interactive technology 

Trooper Josh Allotey (back to camera) demonstrates a computerized use-of-force training system.

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – With police seemingly under more scrutiny than ever … maybe this is more timely than ever — practice on when to fire your weapon. It’s usually a split-second decision for an officer.

Sgt. Jasmin (cq) Dixon helped demonstrate the MILO system – Multiple Interactive Learning Objectives – for reporters Wednesday at the Illinois State Police academy in Springfield. You get an officer’s-eye view of, for example, a traffic stop in which the driver suddenly starts shooting at you.

“We’ve shown a lot of (video exercises) where they are pulling guns and they’re shooting; sometimes they’re just grabbing for their driver’s license or insurance card,” Dixon said with a chuckle. “You’re trying to figure out what’s going on, what is he grabbing for, what’s going to happen next?”

The state police have four of the MILO modules around the state and are now offering local departments the chance to use them.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…