January 2018 -

The Stafford County (Virginia) Sheriff’s Office installed a VirTra V-300 use of force simulator several months ago. First Sergeant Joe Bice, who heads the department’s training program, states the technology is already making a big difference. It was the department’s first venture into advanced simulators, and First Sergeant Bice says the V-300 has helped him and his agency in many ways.

Better Tactics

Stafford County previously had limited exposure to a single screen simulator at a nearby regional police academy. The advanced capabilities of the V-300 really impress him and his fellow deputies. According to First Sergeant Bice, VirTra’s unique mix of live action and simulation provides realistic scenarios that get trainees moving in the simulator. Trainees learn to take better tactical positions to engage subjects versus static range training. He also said that the V-300’s playback feature allows him to show improper shooting positions to trainees during debriefings and trains them to adjust appropriately. The V-300 has also helped deputies to communicate more clearly with each other in cover and contact situations, thus improving officer safety.

First Sergeant Bice also noticed that some deputies were missing moving targets, and that less-experienced deputies could develop “tunnel vision” in scenarios. Training in the V-300 allowed him to tackle these potentially life-threatening issues head-on and reduce risk for deputies and the agency. Stafford County’s SWAT team uses the V-300 to hone split-second decision making in breach and close quarters room clearing scenarios. The agency’s new recruits are thrown into V-300 scenarios before they even begin their academy training. First Sergeant Bice uses scenarios to train recruits on proper technique such as holster drills. Their V-300 is equipped with Threat-Fire, which First Sergeant Bice says adds consequences and stress to help trainees take the training more seriously. Stafford County also has VirTra’s V-Author, which has been utilized to develop scenarios based in familiar settings to Stafford Deputies.

Increased Efficiencies, Reduced Costs

Like many other law enforcement agencies, the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office previously had to use overtime to keep officers current on their firearms training certifications because there was no on-site training system. Now, First Sergeant Bice is using the V-300 as part of the department’s roll calls, which will reduce overtime costs and make training more efficient.

“All our training had been done on overtime. Now that we have the VirTra system, I can grab two or four officers and have them train in the V-300 during their shift,” says First Sergeant Bice.

The department had been looking at building a live-fire house at their outdoor firing range, but code compliance costs made that option prohibitively expensive. Purchasing VirTra technology was a tremendous cost-savings for the department. The V-300 has been implemented into the department’s annual use of force training, and it also helped lessen reliance on using the outdoor range, where officers can experience freezing temperatures that can make training less effective during winter months.

First Sergeant Bice is eager to do more with their V-300 in 2018. The department will begin implementing the V-300 into Axon® TASER® training this year. First Sergeant Bice would also like to use training in the V-300 to help officers become more descriptive and detailed in report writing.

“It’s not a one-time training tool – the opportunities are limitless,” said First Sergeant Bice.

Cities across the country spend millions upon millions of dollars defending themselves or even settling lawsuits dealing with police wrongdoings. Litigation fees, settlement fees, and in some cases, court-ordered payments can all but bankrupt a city. A recent article from Governing shows just how detrimental a single wrongful death lawsuit can be to a city’s budget.

What Kinds of Expenses do Cities Have?

Cities have various expenses that relate to police officer misconduct, and the actual expenses vary widely from location to location. The Governing article focused on 20 of the largest cities in the US and their costs. In every case, these expenses fall into three different categories:

Payouts – A payout is the amount of money a city gives to someone who was victimized by police wrongdoing. This payout could be a settlement, or a means of keeping the case out of court and therefore out of the public eye, or it could be a payment ordered by the court should the victim win his or her case. Across all 20 cities for which information was available, $1,156,508,402 was the average annual payout amount – well over a billion dollars.
Litigation – Cities pay exorbitant legal fees all in the name of defense, and this is true even if the officer being accused of wrongdoing is found innocent in the long run. These litigation fees are payments made by cities directly to lawyers along with any related court costs. The average annual litigation fees paid across all 20 cities is roughly $127,541,734.
Insurance – Most cities carry insurance designed to protect them in the event someone is injured or killed due to an officer’s wrongdoing. All 20 cities combined pay an annual average of $24,293,544 in insurance premiums alone.

Which Cities Pay the Most?

Of the 20 cities willing to provide financial data for the years between 2014 and 2016 for the purpose of the article, there were two jurisdictions with truly mind-boggling numbers. These were New York and Chicago. In New York, the average annual expenditure for police-related lawsuits is $710,608,666. This number represents payouts alone; no litigation or insurance information is available for New York. In Chicago, more than $153,133,333 accounted for payouts alone. Again, no information about litigation and insurance cost was available from this jurisdiction.

How City Officials Can Mitigate These Costs

Though city officials often argue that payout, litigation, and insurance costs are far too high, there is one primary reason for this – the failure to properly and adequately train police officers. Officers who are better trained to react appropriately in a variety of situations are far less likely to find themselves involved in lawsuits due to alleged wrongdoing. Utilizing use of force simulator training, firearms training, and even de-escalation training, reductions in these costs are entirely possible.

There is no doubt that lawsuits involving police wrongdoings, including shooting deaths and even abuse of authority, cost cities across the country billions of dollars every year collectively. Most of these cities can benefit from training their officers more thoroughly with products like VirTra’s judgmental use of force simulation training.

VirTra Products Prevalent with Leading Companies at Key Industry Trade Show

Tempe, Ariz. — January 22, 2018 — VirTra, Inc. (OTCQX: VTSI), a global provider of training simulators for the law enforcement, military, educational and commercial markets, is planning a robust schedule at the 2018 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, the world’s largest tradeshow for the shooting, hunting and firearms industries. VirTra will be at booth 7608 at the Sands Expo Center. The event, which will be attended by an expected 64,500 people across law enforcement agencies, firearms owners, outdoor enthusiasts and investors, offers specialized training courses for law enforcement as part of its Law Enforcement Education Program (LEEP).

One important aspect of simulation training is the inclusion of a training firearm that is nearly identical to the real thing in both form and function. Customers often require a specific make and model firearm in order to proceed with implementing simulators into their training program. VirTra is a world leader in providing highly realistic simulated firearms with uniquely powerful recoil and will be introducing two new weapon recoil kits, one for the CZ 805 Bren S1, and one for the IWI Tavor X95. Both companies, CZ-USA and IWI US, Inc. will also be exhibiting at SHOT Show, and are expected to bring their customers over to VirTra’s booth so they can experience firing the simulated weapon without the use of live ammunition.

On the show’s opening night, Tuesday, January 23, VirTra will have a fully operational V-ST Pro simulator at the party hosted by industry clothing leader, 5.11 Tactical for attendees to experience. Attendees will, firsthand, experience the combination of incredible fidelity and accuracy that are the hallmarks of VirTra’s leading simulated shooting range product and patented, cutting edge accessories used extensively by the thought leaders throughout the law enforcement community.

On Tuesday, January 23, Travis Haley, CEO of Haley Strategic Partners, will lead a session sponsored by VirTra on “Peak Performance,” an engaging, high-energy presentation of firearms training techniques for law enforcement that will show officers strategic techniques that enable them to function at their highest levels in conjunction with the VirTra’s simulators.

During the 60-minute session, Travis will discuss how Haley Strategic has adapted cognitive principles similar to those used by world-class athletes to enable law enforcement to react faster and make better decisions in the high-stress situations that they face every day. The class is also an introduction into the joint program developed by VirTra and Haley Strategic called “D7 Powered by VirTra,” which offers individualized firearms training for use of force, high stress, and tactical engagements.

The D7 program, first unveiled in November 2017, represents the aggressive approach that the two companies are taking to incorporate more science and data analysis into training for law enforcement. VirTra’s V-300 and V-ST PRO systems are the foundation of the D7 Powered by VirTra program. The immersive technology can recreate 200 different lifelike law enforcement scenario simulations that combine the latest technology with sophisticated training concepts. The program takes into account an individual’s personality traits and tendencies in high-stress situations and teaches each trainee how to refocus for peak performance, particularly in use of force situations.

Bob Ferris, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of VirTra, added, “We have significantly expanded the scope of our participation at this year’s SHOT Show, and we are excited to demonstrate our newest simulator, brand-new weapons kits and our strategic partnership with Haley Strategic and its world-renowned CEO, Travis Haley. This trade show will provide leading law enforcement agencies, firearm enthusiasts, and investors the opportunity to experience the VirTra V-ST Pro simulator in person. As a result, attendees will be able to gain a deep understanding of the increasing vital training that VirTra’s products provide to law enforcement customers around the world.”

About VirTra

VirTra is a global provider of training simulators for the law enforcement, military, educational and commercial markets. The Company’s patented technologies, software and scenarios provide intense training for de-escalation, judgmental use-of-force, marksmanship and related training that mimics real world situations. VirTra’s mission is to save and improve lives worldwide through realistic and highly-effective virtual reality and simulator technology. Learn more about the company at www.VirTra.com.

Forward-looking Statements

This news release includes certain information that may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by terminology such as “could,” “may,” “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “proposed,” “planned,” “potential” and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, including statements about VirTra’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Although VirTra believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such forward-looking information will prove to be accurate. VirTra cautions investors that any forward-looking statements by the Company are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Accordingly, due to the risks, uncertainties and assumptions inherent in forward-looking information, readers and prospective investors in the Company’s securities should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. All forward-looking information contained in this press release is given as of the date hereof, and is based upon the opinions and estimates of management and information available to management as at the date hereof and is subject to change. The Company assumes no obligation to revise or update forward-looking information to reflect new circumstances, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Media contact:

VirTra
info@virtra.com
480-968-1488

Investor relations contact:

Brett Maas
vtsi@haydenir.com
(646) 536-7331

VirTra and Haley Strategic Partners are bringing their innovative training partnership to Las Vegas next week at the 2018 SHOT Show, the world’s largest tradeshow for the shooting, hunting and firearms industries. The event offers specialized training courses for law enforcement as part of its Law Enforcement Education Program (LEEP). This year’s curriculum focuses in part on the application of technology and training methods. On Tuesday, January 23, renowned trainer Travis Haley will lead a session on “Peak Performance”, an engaging, high-energy presentation of firearms training techniques for law enforcement that will show officers strategic techniques that enable them to function at their highest levels.

During the 60-minute session, Travis will delve into the cognitive principles connecting mind and body that have been a staple of training for world-class athletes. And, he’ll discuss how Haley Strategic has adapted these techniques to enable law enforcement to react faster and make better decisions in the high-stress situations that they face every day. The class is also an introduction into the joint program developed by VirTra and Haley Strategic called “D7 Powered by Virtra,” which offers individualized firearms training for use of force, high stress, and tactical engagements.

The D7 program was first unveiled in November 2017 at an event at Haley Strategic headquarters in Scottsdale, Arizona. The new program represents the aggressive approach that the two companies are taking to incorporate more science and data analysis into training for law enforcement. VirTra’s V-300 and V-ST PRO systems are the foundation of the D7 Powered by VirTra program. The immersive technology can recreate 200 different lifelike law enforcement scenario simulations that combine the latest technology with sophisticated training concepts. The program takes into account an individual’s personality traits and tendencies in high-stress situations and teaches each trainee how to refocus for peak performance, particularly in use of force situations.

Session attendees will leave with a much better understanding of how VirTra’s cutting-edge simulator technology enables the efficient application of Haley Strategic’s decision-based training concepts, and how data analysis, biomechanics and other scientific principles applied in VirTra scenarios offer a superior learning experience. Advanced training programs like D7 Powered by VirTra mirror what law enforcement actually encounters on a daily basis, and can best prepare officers physically and mentally to recognize threats, handle stress, de-escalate, and, if necessary, use lethal force in a manner that complies with their departmental guidelines. VirTra and Haley Strategic look forward to seeing you next week at the SHOT Show!

According to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, the number of law enforcement officers being shot to death has increased 78% in the last year. This is partially due to targeted attacks on police officers, but there is also some speculation that these officers simply do not receive adequate training for their own protection. With this in mind VirTra’s use of force simulators may be the perfect solution.

Types of Police Killings

Police officers across the country are being shot in a variety of different situations. In some cases, officers are killed during routine traffic stops. Officers are also killed during altercations with suspects, and many are killed in the process of attempting to serve warrants to those suspected of crimes. Finally, the number of ambush-style killings has skyrocketed significantly. In 2011, only five police officers were killed in an ambush. By 2014, there were 15. These numbers continue to increase, and it has become obvious that things must change in order to protect those who have sworn to protect and serve us.

How Can VirTra Help?

VirTra’s use of force training simulators can help protect policemen in various ways. Though these simulators are typically used to help officers better understand when they should be the ones using potentially deadly force, there are features that can train officers to respond, react, and deescalate situations before they turn deadly. Some of VirTra’s most important features that may prevent the shooting deaths of law enforcement officials include:

True-to-life virtual scenarios. VirTra’s simulators offer hundreds of different scenarios that officers may encounter in the line of duty. These scenarios are also customizable, which provides ample opportunity for training.
Firearms training simulation. While there is no replacing the firing range, firearms training simulation from VirTra is an excellent means of preventing shooting deaths. Officers wear special equipment that creates special effects when they are “hit” by a virtual bullet, and with repeat practice, they can learn to react to scenarios appropriately and keep themselves alive.
De-Escalation Training. Many times, it is possible for an officer to “talk down” a suspect before a weapon is fired. This type of training improves tactical abilities and communications skills which can save officers’, civilians’, and even suspects’ lives.

Reasons to Invest in VirTra

VirTra’s use of force simulator should be viewed as a necessary investment for law enforcement departments across the country. It is the most realistic experience an officer can have in a virtual setting, and it allows officers to experience situations that may otherwise be deadly in a safe environment. With repeated exposure to these scenarios, officers will better understand how to react and communicate when they are faced with similar situations in the line of duty.

More officers than ever are falling victim to shootings, and with that information in mind, it is vital that something is done to protect them. VirTra combines state-of-the-art technology with real-world experience to provide training unlike anything else available today.

The University of Tennessee Law Enforcement Innovation Center (LEIC) is well known for developing state-of-the art training programs in a variety of areas, such as first line and advanced leadership and supervision, applied de-escalation tactics, and forensic photography.

Under the direction of Program Director Jeff Lindsay, a 28-year law enforcement veteran, the LEIC Training program has made significant improvements. With the addition of the VirTra V-300 simulator to the arsenal of training tools used by LEIC, Director Lindsey said, “with the advances in technology and tactics, we can effectively train anyone on the front lines.” This is because the V-300 offers more than 150 different scenarios that can be tailored for any agency’s particular needs, from breach scenarios for tactical teams to hostage situations for correctional officers.”

Director Lindsey has developed two Peace Officer Standards and Training certification (POST) training courses that combine VirTra V-300 scenarios with classroom work focused on verbal de-escalation, applied tactics, re-enforced with good communication skills. “There’s a critical need for de-escalation training, and the aim of the LEIC is to provide the most advanced training available to the hundreds of law enforcement agencies in Tennessee,” Lindsey says.

Director Lindsay believes, that because most law enforcement work is fact-oriented, and officers may at times take a narrow approach when investigating calls for service and miss important non-verbal, and body language queues a subject may be displaying. The VirTra V-300 is a teaching/training tool and he wants officers to recognize that verbal and nonverbal cues are equally important during any investigation. Employing a broader assessment of the situations they encounter will provide a safer approach for both the officer and the subjects involved. The very realistic scenarios provided in the VirTra V-300 combined with classroom work allow officers to experience and develop skillsets that result in improved officer safety and public relations.

The V-300 allows instructors flexibility to alter scenarios in an effort to meet the training needs and department policy of each participant. “The beauty of the V-300 is in the branches,” he explained.

Depending on the participants course of action while in the V-300 simulator the instructors can select from a variety of different scenario reactions with the click of a mouse, that require participants to employ active listening, good communication, and reasonable force skills.

“We want to show them they have options beyond using a kinetic response,” says Lindsey, adding “the idea is to show them that they can de-escalate a situation and still gain compliance” of a subject by creating space, using non-threatening body language and simply slowing things down. “

Director Lindsey is working to develop a new use case for the VirTra V-300 using the V-Author feature. Forensics training is a big part of the LEIC charter, and V-Author will allow LEIC staff to create a number of custom scenarios for forensics training classes which re-create violent crime scenes. These types of scenarios will assist trainees to recognize key elements in shooting, stabbing, violent crime incidents by recreating the crime scene.

This type of training is beneficial for law enforcement investigators required continued education as it will improve processes around evidence recovery, submission and the VirTra simulator scenarios can be used to improve report writing. This training will improve overall investigation and successful prosecution.

Director Lindsey hopes to one day make their V-300 portable, allowing a better service and easy access to smaller law enforcement agencies who may not have the ability to travel to LEIC due to staffing or budget issues.

The O’Fallon, Missouri Police Department recently opened a world-class Justice Center that includes a VirTra V-300 use of force simulator. O’Fallon Police Department range master and training officer Ed Smith wasted no time in developing innovative training curriculums for O’Fallon’s officers featuring their V-300 that will maximize training time and help conserve department resources.

Smith designed two, four, and eight hour training courses, but is especially proud of the two-hour training block, as it is a curriculum that involves two simulated sessions in the V-300 along with live fire training and is designed to give officers confidence that they can handle any volatile situation that could come their way. The program takes place during an officer’s shift and only requires two trainers to run – a marked departure from the days of all-day range training that stretched his training staff to its limit.

For the two-hour program Smith calls in officers during their shifts to meet him in the V-300 training room, and from there they get a simulated dispatch call and go immediately into their first VirTra scenario, which could involve a Glock, Axon® TASER® or rifle. Smith uses this session to evaluate the officer’s fundamentals and tactical skills, including trigger squeeze, sightline issues and body position. He then makes any necessary corrections and adjustments before the officer goes to the indoor firing range to internalize the feedback and practice any adjustments using live ammo. After the officer cleans their weapon, they go immediately into their second scenario in the V-300, where the officers are again placed into a situation that mirrors a real-life encounter that forces them to make split-second decisions under stress.

During the debriefing process that follows, the instructor quizzes the trainee on how they dealt with subjects using verbal commands, and on department use of force policy and relevant case law. Because the V-300 scenarios are so incredibly life-like, they allow Smith’s training curriculum to not only satisfy state firearms skills training requirements, but also interpersonal and legal training hours as well. The two-hour sessions also allow instructors to spot potential trouble spots in individuals’ performance that could suggest something problematic in the way an officer makes decisions and reacts in a potential use of force situation. They can then flag these to an officer’s superior and schedule the officer for additional training to correct any shortcomings and ensure that O’Fallon is putting the best-trained officers on the street to keep fellow officers and the public safe.

Since the entire three-part curriculum can take place in a two-hour block during an officer’s scheduled shift, it helps address the challenges of finding time to keep up with the state-required skills training. Officer Smith was also able to use a VirTra-provided library of scenarios that “saved a ton of time and made it easy” for him to get the program registered with the state, and the department no longer has to send its officers to an academy to get legal and interpersonal skills training done, greatly simplifying the process for officers and the department alike. “Now we just do it here on a VirTra system,” says Smith, who has gotten great feedback from officers that have gone through the training. One officer couldn’t believe they squeezed in so much learning into one two-hour session, and another said he would “definitely feel better about going out on the next call” after being put through the paces in a VirTra system.

Smith is pleased that O’Fallon’s officers have found the new curriculum helpful, and in time he even sees developing similar training curriculums for officers from other local law enforcement agencies, which could allow for the department to see a further return on its investment through cost-sharing arrangements for facility use and staff time.

Video

New Sale Means VirTra is Now Represented in 24 Countries Worldwide.

Tempe, Ariz. — January 9th, 2018 — VirTra, Inc. (OTCQX: VTSI), a global provider of training simulators for the law enforcement, military, educational and commercial markets, today announced further expansion of its international business with the receipt of an order valued at $1.38 million with delivery to occur to a country in Africa.

“This expansion into a new country for VirTra in Africa is the latest step forward in our international growth strategy,” commented Jason Mulcahy, VirTra’s General Manager. “The selection of VirTra products by this new customer in a new market will help us to establish a base from which we believe we can further grow our presence in the region. We have a proven and successful track record of expanding our footprint following an initial sale in a number of countries, and we plan to leverage the success of this installation, and the benefits our industry leading system provides, to target additional opportunities.”

Bob Ferris, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of VirTra, added, “I am increasingly confident about VirTra’s near-term and long-term prospects. Our plan to uplist to the Nasdaq Capital continues to progress, though the process is taking longer than we anticipated.”

About VirTra

Forward-looking Statements

Media contact:

VirTra
info@virtra.com
480-968-1488

Investor relations contact:

Brett Maas
vtsi@haydenir.com
(646) 536-7331

Do barbers & Cosmetologists need more training than police?

Individuals in almost any profession must be properly trained if they are to do their jobs well, safely, and legally. For example, a cosmetologist in California must undergo approximately 1,000 hours of training. However, in that same state, a law enforcement officer—one who has permission to wield and utilize deadly weapons—requires only 664 training hours. For many, this is an obvious issue that needs to be immediately addressed.

The Startling Reality of Police Training Hours

Although it is difficult to believe an individual needs more training time to provide manicuring services than legally pointing a weapon at a suspect, it is true and startling. Do barbers & Cosmetologists need more training than police? What is more startling is that California is not the only state requiring fewer law enforcement training hours than other professions:

North Carolina –Barbers need 1,520 hours of training; police officers only need 620.
California – Licensed cosmetologists need 1,000 hours of training; police officers in training need 664.
Florida – Interior designers must have 1,760 hours of training, but police officers only need 770.
Massachusetts – Licensed HVAC technicians need 1,000 hours of training and policemen need 900.
Michigan –Licensed electric sign specialists need 4,000 hours of training; policemen need 594.
Louisiana –Manicurists need 500 hours of training while police officers in training only need 360.

The Obvious Problem for Officers

Law enforcement officers find themselves in a variety of difficult situations each shift. Even traffic cops—those simply stopping people for speeding or failing to stop completely at stop signs—put themselves in potentially deadly situations every day. The sheer number of police-involved deaths is overwhelming, yet this number continues to climb each year.

Do barbers and Cosmetologists need more training than police? It makes sense that law enforcement training should be just as extensive and thorough—if not more so—than the training it takes to become a licensed interior designer. However, for many states, this is not the case. People nationwide argue that something should be done to change this.

Decreasing Risk with Supplemental and Ongoing Police Training Hours

Although it is true that law enforcement officers require significantly less training than those in other professions in many states nationwide, it is worth noting that training does not stop once an officer receives their badge. In addition, the quality and type of police training will also play a role in adequately preparing the officer to do their job. Do barbers & Cosmetologists need more training than police?

For example, some methods of teaching are a linear, step-by-step process. In regard to cutting hair or applying makeup, this is a linear function: everything has an order and can be routinely followed. But for officers, de-escalation and use of force is not linear. There are so many different factors simultaneously in play in each scenario that a simple to-do list cannot be followed. As such, police officer training should not occur as blocks or silos—following the linear ideology. So why continue to train after this linear manner?

Instead, supplemental, and ongoing police training hours—such as a realistic judgmental use of force simulator, virtual marksmanship range and de-escalation scenarios—can go a long way towards better preparing officers because of their intricate nature. This is because simulators provide a complex training environment, mimicking the real world. Additionally, because it is a science-based approach to teaching and improving human performance, do barbers and cosmetologists need more training than police, it is easier to develop lifelong skills and transfer them to the field.

If you are bothered by the fact that, in many states, barbers require more training than law enforcement officers, you are not alone. Many people nationwide believe that police forces should be better trained to fully protect and serve. Fortunately, with state-of-the-art, science-based realistic training simulators such as the ones VirTra provides, it is possible for departments and academies to better prepare their officers in even the shortest amount of time.

For more information about our simulators and how they maximize training time and realism, talk to one of our VirTra specialists today.

Law enforcement is a necessary part of society. Without police officers and military officials, there would simply be no order in the world. As the population continues to grow, police and military rely on technology to make things safer, more accurate, and simpler in the long run. If you are interested in investing your money in a growing field, law enforcement technology is a phenomenal option.

Society’s Demand for a Safer World

Society as a whole has more access to information than ever thanks to news broadcasts and social media. Each time there is a police-involved shooting death, debates rage on. The common theme is that police officers need more training; they simply are not prepared enough to face the various situations they might encounter on any given day. Because social media and news outlets put so much focus on the actions of police officers, people are more opinionated than ever. They want a safer world – one with fewer shootings and violence. Fortunately, there are many different technologies designed to make this happen.

Examples of Beneficial Law Enforcement Technology

When you think of technology used by police, you probably think of things like dash cams and body cams – things that are designed to record events and hold either the policeman or the suspect accountable for his or her actions. They are certainly helpful, but technologies have progressed even further. Today, there are numerous investments waiting to be discovered. They include:

Judgmental Use of Force Simulation Training – Because so much focus is placed on officer-involved shootings, departments across the country are requiring their officers to participate in virtual training to help prepare them for a variety of scenarios. VirTra’s use of force training simulators are designed to teach officers when to use force and when to use other measures, instead.
Virtual Firearms Training – Though the firing range will likely always be an important training ground for police and military officials alike, the virtual firing range takes things a step further. Through special weapon modifications and wearable technology, officers can put themselves in the virtual line of fire. Rather than just shooting at targets, simulated firearms training allows officers to engage with virtual armed suspects much like they would out in the field and practice automatic jamming of live fire weapons prompted by the trainer using the simulator..
De-Escalation Training Simulation – Often, resolving conflict is as simple as choosing the right words at the right times. Virtual de-escalation training does just that. It puts officers and military officials in virtual situations, and in these scenarios, their words and actions can completely change the outcome of the scenario.
Facial Recognition Software – As this technology continues to improve, officers can use it to ensure they are engaging the right individuals and avoiding any unnecessary conflict. Facial recognition software scans an individual’s face, then uses that information to bring up a database of that person’s information, criminal history, outstanding warrants, etc.

As you can see, there are numerous investment opportunities for anyone interested in a niche or industry that will continue to explode over the next decade. There’s proof that these technologies save lives, and as more departments across the country (and the world) realize this, the demand for better, more sophisticated technology will increase.