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New York City police fired fewer bullets at suspects last year than any time since the department first began keeping in-depth shooting statistics 39 years ago, according to a report due to be released on Wednesday.

Experts said the drop reflected a police department that has become increasingly restrained about pulling the trigger, but also one scarred by two ugly incidents in the past 11 years when police officers shot and killed unarmed men.

The department now has cops take part in computer simulations in which they are taught to make instant life-and-death decisions.

The Wall Street Journal reviewed a copy of the 2009 "New York City Police Department Annual Firearms Discharge Report." It shows that city police were involved in 105 shooting incidents during which 130 officers fired a total of 296 bullets, about 19% fewer than the previous year. In 2008, the NYPD was also involved in 105 shooting incidents, with the 125 officers firing a total of 364 bullets.