James Forcillo trial hears officer had just passed use-of-force training

Toronto police Const.JamesForcillohad undergone use-of-force training, including a "stress inoculation" exercise, three months before he shot Sammy Yatim on a streetcar, killing the knife-wielding teenager.

Toronto Deputy Police Chief Michael Federico considered by the Crown and defence to be an expert in use of forcetestified at Forcillo'ssecond-degree murder and attempted murder trial in Ontario Superior Court in Torontoon Thursday.

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Federicorefused totestify to the particulars ofForcillo'sactions on the night of July 26, 2013, when Yatim was killed. The jury has already heard thatForcillofired nine shots at Yatim,eight of which hit him.

Federico did, however, speakabout the training Forcillo would have received as a front-line officer, something that is expected to be a central consideration in the high-profiletrial.

Thattraining included "stress inoculation," through simulated situations whereofficers have to use their weapons proficiently while experiencing stress,Federicosaid.

Federico, a43-yearveteran of the police force, also gave an overview of theequipment standard for Toronto police officers in uniform in 2013a pistol, an extendable metallic batonand a chemical spray, best known aspepper spray.

The province specified the calibre and type of rounds for the pistol, he said, which expand on impact. These bullets "cause more injury," but also "stop the threat."

However, Federico said, "we train police officers to use non-forceful techniques to the fullest extent possible;that would be called de-escalation."

Distance between Yatim and Forcillo?

Earlier Thursday, defence lawyer LawrenceGridinpressed expert witnessEugenioLiscioto use margins of error to estimate the distance betweenForcilloandYatim.

Lisciocame up with an "extreme" minimum of 2.66metres from the tip ofYatim'sknife blade to the officer's gun.

That's about a metre less than what he had previously testifiedwas the likely distance using 3D computer modelling.

Yatim's mother, Sahar Bahadi,sat closest to the jury taking notes throughout the testimony, whileForcillo's wife, Irina, sat behind her husbandon the other side of the courtroom.

Federico is expected to continue testifying on Friday, which will be the eighth day of the trial.