NOVDEC MAG.FINAL

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N O V 2 0 1 7 D E C

VirTra Experience at FBINAA Event Spurs Collaboration That Enhanced Use of Force Training for Multiple Agencies

HOW LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT CAN COLLABORATE TO ACQUIRE USE OF FORCE TRAINING SIMULATORS

When he first saw a modern, five-screen, police use of force training simulator in operation at the 2016 FBI National Academy Associates annual conference in July 2016, Deputy Chief Kenneth Cox of the St. Louis County (Missouri) Police Department was quickly convinced. "My impression was that we need to get one," said Cox, a 2008 graduate of the FBI Academy, Session 232. "It's not only for active shooter situations like Columbine – that's been on the radar for years – but it's also for de-escalation training." T he system – a totally interactive system from VirTra, Inc. that dis- plays realistic video simulations on five large screens surrounding the officers who are being trained – allows participants to be completely immersed in multi-sensory experiences in real-time crime situations which feature human actors. A nearby training officer runs the computer- driven simulations, and can control how they unfold and conclude, from shots being fired to de-escalation of a dangerous situation with a suspect in police custody without any violence. The video scenarios can be re- played or changed at a moment's notice for all officers using the system.

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