Citizens step into officers' shoes at 'Shoot, Don't Shoot' exercise

NEW CANEY, Texas (FOX 26) - On the heels of some controversial police shootings nationwide, some area citizens literally put themselves in the shoes of police officers Tuesday night.

They are participants of the Citizen’s Constable Academy out of the Montgomery County Precinct 4 Constables office.

Academy participants put their eight weeks of training to the test in a "Shoot, Don’t Shoot" exercise.

It’s the most stressful and intensive part of their training.

Participants are given simulation weapons that fire hard, soap-like projectiles.

Deputies pose as the bad guys while participants must decide in seconds to shoot or don’t shoot.