Elections. Pandemics. Wars. Sometimes even a sports match upset. Amidst the chaos of any major shift in society, police can count on the risk of civil unrest. But this isn’t 2020 anymore. Police agencies across the country have learned valuable lessons from the disorder at the beginning of the decade. Below, we share actionable strategies to help prepare for the worst (while still hoping for the best) in potentially turbulent times.
“Even a Homecoming Parade can lead to chaos and disorder if it occurs without prior planning or follows a route that hasn’t been pre-approved.” (Police1, n.d.)
The best way to handle potential riots is to prevent them from happening in the first place. Many police agencies have been successful in leveraging public relations skills with proactive communication with event organizers. Lt. Dan Marcou outlines a strategy in Police1 that focuses on establishing early contact to facilitate a peaceful and orderly assembly. One way to do this is by providing protest organizers with key recommendations, such as:
For a full list, read the Police1 article.
On the agency’s side, it’s important to plan for staffing challenges. Due to the high-chaos and high-stress nature of civil unrest response, officers may get injured or sick. To mitigate potential shortages, the IACP Agency Considerations Checklist for Civil Demonstrations Response recommends shared service agreements with neighboring agencies, swing shifts, and cross-training for temporary assignments.
However, even with the best preparation, the reality is that not every gathering will remain peaceful. That’s where the next phase of readiness comes in.
When a peaceful protest escalates, or a mass gathering turns chaotic, officers must rely on their training. Unlike standard calls, mass unrest situations require monitoring potentially hundreds of people at once. At any moment, officers may need to subdue a violent threat, clear a path to administer first aid, or manage foot and vehicle traffic. The unpredictability is daunting—even when protestors remain peaceful, counter-protestors or external agitators may not.
Your agency’s policies will dictate the specific response, but in general, these guidelines can help:
Regardless of the situation, officers are there to put personal beliefs aside and uphold the rule of law and public safety—protecting community members, demonstrators, property, and fellow officers alike.
While training is essential, real-world experience is the best preparation for mass unrest situations. Fortunately, VirTra offers scenario-based training in a hyper-realistic simulator environment designed for these high-intensity events, to prepare the mind for where the body may have to go. Click here to contact a simulator expert and learn more about training options.
How do you provide hundreds of police officers from your state with life-saving simulation training? The Utah Attorney General’s Office found a solution—by transforming its office into a state-of-the-art training hub.
Utah enjoys some of the lowest crime rates in the U.S., and the Utah Attorney General’s Office is committed to maintaining this status. Its strategy involves intensive simulator training for Utah police officers. In 2015, the Utah Attorney General’s Office launched an innovative program, establishing a training unit to support local agencies.
William Fowlke, the Training Center Director at the Attorney General’s Investigation Division, highlighted the innovative training methods used to prepare officers statewide.
“The training unit really began with the purchase of the VirTra simulator. And while we considered several simulator options, VirTra’s robust content offering and IADLEST certification were key factors in the decision to use it’s systems. It saved us a lot of development time and money,” said Fowlke.
VirTra simulators provide immersive, high-retention training experiences, and by 2018, their V-VICTA curriculum was introduced, offering POST-certified course material. The Investigation Division training program began incorporating these courses, focusing on de-escalation and use of force.
When the Utah legislature mandated autism awareness training for its officers, Fowlke and his team seized the opportunity to create a cutting-edge program using V-VICTA. This initiative integrated VirTra’s 2020 Special Populations: Autism Awareness training with insights from the Autism Council of Utah, resulting in an award-winning course. Due to its success, the training is now offered to all officers in the state. The program’s expansion has significantly increased the scope of the Attorney General’s training unit, which now trains over a thousand officers from 30 agencies annually.
According to Fowlke, Utah’s officers are enthusiastic about the new training.
“They’re happy to be put in an environment where they can learn and not be punished for making mistakes. Once we explain that they are there to learn, not to be judged, they are a lot less nervous, and leave the sessions with a lot more confidence in their new skills.”
Encouraged by the program’s success, William Fowlke and his team decided to upgrade their simulator in 2024. They chose VirTra’s top-of-the-line V-300 4K ProTruss model, a five-screen environment designed for maximum immersion.
With enhanced capacity to train more recruits, the Training Center also introduced a pistol red dot course. As red dot optics become more widely adopted by police agencies, the team needed a solution to help officers develop the necessary skills to use red dots effectively. Once again, V-VICTA proved a worthy basis for the course they sought to develop. Using VirTra’s Red Dot Optic Training & Sustainment Course as the basis, Fowlke and his team created a robust new module that they are currently working on implementing state-wide.
Utah Attorney General’s Office’s decade-long legacy of training innovation with VirTra shows no signs of slowing down. In 2025, the unit plans to integrate VirTra’s My Story: Kyle Dinkheller lesson into its mental health and de-escalation curriculum, as well as the new Graham v. Connor course, which reenacts the landmark use-of-force case.
The Utah Attorney General’s Office’s strategy shows a successful model for preparing large groups of officers for real-world scenarios: sharing simulator resources and using existing, certified curriculum. Fowlke explained the philosophy behind their approach:
“We remind officers that the body can’t go where the mind hasn’t been. And unless you expose people to these kinds of experiences, they won’t be prepared for the field.”
By leveraging certified curriculum and shared resources, the Utah Attorney General’s office offers a scalable, practical model for preparing law enforcement officers to face real-world challenges.
Click here to find a VirTra simulator that’s right for your department. Plus, every sim comes with 90+ hours of POST-certified curriculum. Learn more.
Simulators have long been used to test decision making their use for training one of the de facto methods law enforcement professionals use to refine their skills. It provides peace officers with a safe environment to learn from mistakes and encounter scenarios they might not otherwise face. As the training adage goes, The body can’t go where the mind hasn’t been. Options like the V-300 simulator provide truly life-like scenario immersion and ballistic accuracy, and simulator training is highly compelling.
However, police budgets are limited and vary significantly between departments. And some departments do not have the space for room-scale simulation. Fortunately, some astute agencies have found a way around barriers to secure the training they need – by working together.
The Utah Attorney General’s Office works closely with local law enforcement agencies, serving as a key resource in the state. Since 2016, it has trained officers from over 100 different agencies, including 30 in 2024 alone. When the Utah State Legislature required police officers to receive autism awareness training, the office created an award-winning program using V-VICTA. This was added to the agency’s V-300 simulator system, allowing visiting officers to learn the course in a hands-on, accessible way.
Collaborative training efforts have also proven effective on a smaller scale. The Center for Behavior Analysis and the University of West Florida Police Department invested in a V-300 simulator in 2021, making it available for local and federal agencies to use for training. The University of West Florida has even used the simulator to train its Army ROTC cadets.
Perhaps rural departments have the most to gain from collaborative training. Limited budgets, smaller teams, and limited training space can be significant obstacles to training – obstacles that the Umatilla Sheriff’s Office swiftly cleared. The agency received a V-100 training simulator in 2024 from the Taskforce Santa initiative and set out to share the good fortune. Umatilla announced partnerships to provide training opportunities to several nearby agencies in need:
Law enforcement agencies are increasingly proving that teamwork gets the job done regarding high-quality training. Whether it’s a state-wide push for autism awareness, a university opening its doors to officers and cadets, or a sheriff’s office sharing resources with neighbors, these initiatives make one thing clear. When departments collaborate, training improves for everyone.
Cost-Effective Simulator Options Now Available
Nothing should come between your officers and the training they need. VirTra offers the S.T.E.P. Training and Equipment Partnership to ease upfront expenses with an annual agreement. Click here to learn more.
SHOT Show needs no introduction. For anyone interested in shooting sports, hunting, or the law enforcement industry, SHOT Show is THE must-attend event. If you are planning on attending SHOT Show 2025, make sure you stop by and see us at Booth 75507 in Caesars Forum for a hands-on demonstration of the firearms, use of force, and training technology that top law enforcement agencies depend on now and will depend on in the future.
This year, we have a host of new gadgets and life-saving solutions for you to demo:
If you would like to reserve a 15-minute demo of our training solutions, contact us so we can put you on the schedule!
If you are a SHOT Show regular, you may remember that VirTra likes to partner with Action Target to put your skills to the test! Make sure you stop by the Action Target booth, booth #12816 in the Venetian, Level 2, for your chance to enter the 2025 Marksmanship Competition! The competition will run all four days of the show, and the top 3 winners will receive exciting prizes like optics and a GoatGun™.
Did you register for the Law Enforcement Education Program this year? If you did, you won’t want to miss the opportunity to sign up for the “Beyond Human Limits: Constitutional and Performance-Based Realities in Dynamic Law Enforcement Training” course presented by VirTra’s Lon Bartel and Von Kliem of Force Science. This session will take place on Thursday, January 23, 2025, from 10:45 am to 12:15 pm in room Lido 3104-3106 on the 3rd floor of the Venetian Expo.
We can’t wait to see you there!
On December 18th, 2024, VirTra and the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards (IADLEST) presented the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office in Oregon with a V-100 Training Simulator. Umatilla County is the winner of this year’s Taskforce Santa program – an initiative to gift a law enforcement agency in need with a training simulator. VirTra and IADLEST selected Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office from almost 100 nominees, all with unique, unfulfilled training needs due to resource limitations. Now equipped with a powerful new training resource, the department’s leadership plans to routinely practice de-escalation, encounters with autistic civilians, red dot marksmanship drills, and more.
The agency unveiled and demonstrated its new VirTra V-100 training simulator shortly after installation. Members of law enforcement, county staff, members of the public, and local media witnessed the VirTra V-100 in action. Chris Gold, VirTra’s VP of Customer Experience, William Flink, IADLEST Program Manager, Captains Sterrin Ward and Paul Wolverton, County Commissioner Dan Doran, and Sheriff Terry Rowan all gave speeches expressing their excitement.
“On any given day, our officers could be trying to decide if someone is trying to harm us, is calling out for help, or needs counseling. It’s a hard job, and we want to give our officers everything they need to be prepared. We all know the solution – simulator training. So, thank you. What an amazing gift,” said Captain Ward.
The V-100 is VirTra’s single-screen simulator—a compact, portable solution ideal for training in various locations. The simulator ships with two SIRT training non-guns, OC spray, a flashlight, and a Threat-Fire consequence device. It also features the V-VICTA curriculum and scenarios that are POST-certified, containing tests and educational material, allowing the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office to begin training immediately.
VirTra and IADLEST selected Umatilla County Sheriff out of nearly 100 applicants who hoped to receive the V-100. Applications poured in from over 36 states and even included some international nominations, which all had one factor in common—lack of resources that prevented them from achieving the training they needed.
While being trained to operate the simulator, the Umatilla County Sheriff’s team was impressed with the wide range of V-VICTA courses and the ability to create scenarios using video footage from a phone or camera.
VirTra’s Chris Gold shared Captain Ward’s enthusiasm, expressing hope that the simulator will improve the county’s safety: “Captain Ward’s selfless submission spoke to the heart of what we do here at VirTra. You want more training? We hear you, and we’re here to give you more. Welcome to the VirTra family.”
Although VirTra and IADLEST received plenty of compelling nominations for this year’s Taskforce Santa, Umatilla County Sheriff’s submission showcased an evident dedication to its community and to improving training. Being a small rural agency with limited staff, Umatilla County Sheriff deputies are extremely busy. As a result, they often respond to calls alone, are too far from collaborative training opportunities, and can only train the minimum amount required for certification. Now adequately equipped for these challenges, Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office plans to share the gift of training with nearby agencies, including:
William Flink emphasized the gift’s significance during his speech. “Being a former director of a POST agency, I know how hard it is for departments on smaller budgets to obtain this kind of technology. This is a once-in-a-lifetime gift, and we hope you get many hours of training from it,” William said.
Pilot Freight Services / A.P. Møller – Mærsk generously delivered the simulator from Chandler, Arizona, to Umatilla, Oregon, free of charge—just as they did in 2023—to support VirTra and IADLEST’s mission.
The VirTra team is honored to provide an advanced training solution that will help the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office deputies enhance their skills and better protect their community. The unveiling of the VirTra V-100 training simulator for this year’s Taskforce Santa at the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office instilled joy and a renewed sense of safety in everyone involved.
2024 was a pivotal year for police training technology. In 12 months, a wide range of emerging technology trends saw wider adoption and industry acceptance. With renewed momentum behind police technology, here’s what police trainers and trainees can look forward to in the coming year.
Drones have been a growth area in law enforcement for over a decade. Agencies around the country now recognize drones’ capability as a force multiplier, such as in gathering intel, search and rescue, tactical support, as a first responder, and more.
In 2024, training programs began to formalize drone usage within law enforcement. The Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers, LEDA, and California POST all introduced drone-specific training initiatives.
As drone deployment grows, so too will the scope and scale of training programs. Some programs even emphasize a total reimagining of drone usage within law enforcement, such as Elk Grove Police Department’s “Drones as First Responders” program. In 2025, officers can look forward to using drones for a broader range of situations, like barricades, apprehension of armed and dangerous fleeing suspects, high-risk search warrants, investigating scenes, suspected explosive devices, training missions, and much more.
While AI may seem like it should top this list, concerns about privacy, bias, and the reliability of large language and machine learning models have slowed its adoption in police training technology. However, 2025 could be the year AI matures into a more reliable tool.
Future applications may include dynamically adjusting virtual training scenarios, voicing scenario characters, and automating decision-making branches. For now, AI’s biggest near-term potential lies in performance analytics.
With adequate human oversight, AI models excel at crunching quantities of data that would be impossible to interpret manually. By analyzing training information like test scores, biometrics, and simulation data, AIs can intelligently help police instructors assess student performance and adjust training methodology according to need. As a result, 2025 may be the year of the AI teaching assistant and personalized learning.
At I/ITSEC 2024, VirTra announced the integration of APEX analytics within its simulators. APEX is a data analytics and training intelligence platform that enables instructors and decision-makers with little or no data analytics experience to quickly and easily gain actionable insights from their training data.
We can see this shift industry-wide. Training providers are hedging their bets on data-driven solutions, and it’s easy to see why. These analytics tools offer unprecedented insight into training effectiveness, measuring performance, reaction times, and decision-making under pressure. Real-time analytics not only identify individual strengths and weaknesses but also provide data-backed trends across an entire group. This allows trainers to adjust programs quickly and better prepare officers for real-world scenarios without increasing budget and allocated resources.
And what will drive these real-time analytics? We expect the training of tomorrow to be fueled in part by wearable devices. This includes equipment that monitors heart rate, body temperature, movement, and other biometrics during training sessions to benchmark performance. VirTra, Force Science, and Neurosmart demonstrated the impressive value of integrating biofeedback devices into training earlier this year.
This new generation of wearables synthesizes data to provide real-time stress and biofeedback monitoring, giving a highly granular snapshot of an officer’s physical and mental state during training. When paired with an effective analytics platform, trainers can see in real-time how stress impacts their trainees’ performance and, in turn, tailor their training to address managing stress more effectively.
2025 will be a significant year for wearables and biofeedback devices. We hope to see the technology trickle down to readily available options like smartwatches and smart rings, making this significant training innovation available to departments nationwide.
For years, VR solutions have always had drawbacks. Early adopters were starved for options. Compact headsets offered convenience but often featured disorienting user experience, low-fidelity visuals, and low-resolution displays. A mainstay in law enforcement simulation training, screen-based virtual reality solutions, have been historically limited by space and ceiling height requirements. However, in 2024, VR platforms have finally reached a tipping point.
Stationary simulation systems and AR/VR headsets now deliver convincing, immersive training experiences while maintaining user comfort. Advances in headset resolution and processing power have removed many of the issues that plagued early platforms. Multiple studies have confirmed a positive relationship between simulation fidelity, the sense of presence, and skill retention.
VirTra’s V series of room-scale simulators and the new V-XR extended reality AR headset showcase the best that each platform offers. The V-300 delivers unmatched ballistic accuracy, immersion, and configurability while being more compact in recent years. And the V-XR extended reality headset is emerging as the premier de-escalation training device. These platforms offer scalable and cost-effective solutions for agencies of all sizes, making high-quality AR/VR training more accessible than ever before.
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As police training technology evolves, these five innovations promise to shape a new era of preparation for law enforcement professionals. With drones, AI, real-time analytics, wearable devices, and AR/VR platforms advancing rapidly, 2025 may prove to be the most transformative year yet for police training.
Recently, Matt Bloodgoode and I wrote an article about cover for Caliber Press (link). The phrase “the officer failed to use cover” often arises in legal and public discussions surrounding law enforcement encounters. But what does “cover” truly entail, and how can officers better understand its applications? Advanced simulation tools, like the VirTra training simulator, offer invaluable insights and training opportunities to help officers master the use of cover in complex and dynamic situations.
In many use-of-force cases, cover is portrayed as a one-size-fits-all solution. However, as Bloodgood and I explain, this perspective oversimplifies the reality of high-stress incidents. Cover, in its traditional sense, refers to something that stops or deflects bullets, but its application is far more nuanced. Officers must assess cover not just as ballistic protection but as a strategic tool that can impede specific attacks or provide a momentary advantage.
Some cases underscore that “cover” isn’t always available, and its presence doesn’t guarantee safety or a peaceful resolution. This complexity necessitates realistic, high-pressure training scenarios to prepare officers for real-world challenges.
VirTra simulators provide a dynamic platform to redefine and practice the use of cover. Officers can explore scenarios where cover varies based on:
Through VirTra’s immersive training, officers learn to evaluate objects and structures for their effectiveness as cover. For instance, officers can differentiate between ballistic cover, which protects against gunfire, and strategic cover, which might only provide concealment or a temporary tactical advantage.
Even with effective use, cover does not guarantee safety. Officers trained with VirTra simulations experience this complexity firsthand. By engaging in scenarios with varying outcomes, they develop a nuanced understanding of cover’s role in influencing attack and defense effectiveness. The simulator also incorporates psychophysiological factors, helping officers navigate the spatial and temporal dimensions of high-stress encounters.
VirTra’s simulation-based approach helps officers grasp the four probable outcomes of force applications that Bloodgood and I speak to in the article:
By training in environments that simulate real-world stressors and constraints, officers develop a mindset that emphasizes adaptability. Recognizing that “cover“ may not always be present, perceivable, or immediately useful, officers can build strategies that account for these variables.
The VirTra training simulator bridges the gap between theoretical understanding and practical application of cover. Immersing officers in realistic, high-stakes scenarios provides a safe environment to explore the complexities of decision-making under stress. Cover, as Bloodgood and I emphasize, is not a universal solution but a dynamic tool shaped by countless contextual variables. Through simulation training, law enforcement professionals can refine their skills, better preparing them for the unpredictable nature of the field.
For more on the principles and applications of cover, contact Matthew Bloodgood at matt@police-trainer.com or visit VirTra’s website to explore their cutting-edge training solutions. Or, register for VirTra’s Contact Cover Concepts training webinar here.
References:
In law enforcement, training is more than an activity; it is a lifeline. Officers rely on their training to make critical decisions under pressure, and the public counts on officers to act with skill and integrity. However, when training is insufficient or improperly conducted, the consequences can lead to legal and ethical dilemmas for both the individual instructor and the agency. This article explores instructor liability and failure-to-train liability, shedding light on how trainers and agencies can safeguard themselves while upholding the highest standards of professionalism.
Law enforcement instructors hold a unique position of authority and trust. They shape the skills, knowledge, and judgment of officers through their training programs. However, with this role comes significant liability if training is found to be negligent or insufficient.
1. Inadequate Training Content: Failing to provide proper instruction on critical skills, such as use of force, de-escalation, or firearms handling.
2. Negligent Supervision: Allowing unsafe practices during training sessions, leading to injuries or fatalities.
3. Inaccurate or Outdated Information: Providing instruction based on obsolete laws, policies, or techniques.
4. Unethical Practices: Using inappropriate training methods that degrade or harm participants.
• Popow v. City of Margate (1979): Highlighted the need for realistic training in high-pressure situations. A lack of adequate training was deemed a factor in a civilian’s death during a police shooting.
• Zuchel v. City and County of Denver (1993): Demonstrated the importance of proper training in the use of deadly force, leading to liability for the city when inadequate training was linked to a wrongful death.
Agencies face significant legal risks if their training programs do not meet the standards necessary to prepare officers adequately. Under the Monell Doctrine (Monell v. Department of Social Services, 1978), agencies can be held liable for failing to train their officers in areas where constitutional violations are likely to occur.
When Agencies Are Held Accountable:
1. Deliberate Indifference: An agency shows a disregard for known risks by not addressing training gaps.
2. Pattern of Violations: Repeated incidents suggest systemic training failures.
3. Foreseeable Harms: The lack of training leads to predictable and preventable outcomes, such as excessive use of force.
Real-World Examples:
• City of Canton v. Harris (1989): Established that failure to train officers in medical care resulted in deliberate indifference, making the city liable for damages.
• Connick v. Thompson (2011): Reinforced the necessity of training in specific legal obligations to prevent constitutional violations.
Best Practices for Instructors:
1. Stay Current: Continuously update your knowledge and techniques based on evolving laws, policies, and best practices.
2. Document Training: Maintain detailed records of training sessions, including lesson plans, attendance, and assessments.
3. Emphasize Safety: Prioritize the physical and psychological well-being of participants during training exercises.
4. Seek Certification: Pursue recognized certifications and accreditations to demonstrate expertise and credibility.
1. Invest in Comprehensive Training: Ensure all officers receive training in critical areas, including use of force, de-escalation, cultural competency, and mental health response.
2. Conduct Regular Reviews: Periodically audit training programs to identify and address weaknesses.
3. Leverage Simulation Technology: Use tools like the VirTra V-300 and the NCP certified V-VICTA curriculum to provide immersive, realistic training to enhance knowledge and decision-making skills.
4. Encourage Collaboration: Involve legal advisors, community leaders, and subject matter experts in the development of training programs.
The stakes are high. Proper training not only protects officers from physical and legal risks but also preserves public trust and the integrity of the profession. Trainers and agencies share a moral and legal obligation to ensure that every officer is prepared to meet the challenges of modern policing with competence and confidence.
As a law enforcement trainer or administrator, your role is critical in mitigating liability and safeguarding lives. By prioritizing robust and ethical training practices, you can build a safer and more effective law enforcement community—one session at a time.
When I went through the police academy in the early 90’s, we were taught how to setup for a “felony stop” at the end of a vehicle pursuit. After setting up the squads, we would yell commands such as “remove the keys from the ignition” and “roll down the windows” to the stopped vehicle.
Today, most vehicles don’t use keys to start the car. And, if you have the driver turn off the car before you have them roll down the electric windows, you’ll likely have those windows up for the whole stop.
We’ve also stopped calling it a “felony stop” for a number of reasons. First, just because a crime is a potential felony doesn’t mean it’s a violent offense that would require this type of contact. Second, you don’t need to have a felony in order to perform a high-risk contact. A high-risk vehicle contact should be done whenever there is a higher risk of danger to officers and/or the public. This means it can be used at the end of a pursuit, a stolen vehicle or even a parked suspicious vehicle at a school or playground.
So, what’s the big deal? Looks like a pretty easy thing to setup: put two squads about 50 feet back from the suspect vehicle in an inverted “V” position and start yelling commands. Right?
While the setup looks fairly simple, it’s the execution that can make all the difference for the officers involved. For new officers, learning all of the proper commands while maintaining their areas of responsibility can be a daunting task. For veteran officers, this skill can perish rather quickly since high-risk stops typically aren’t done very often. That’s where VirTra’s High-Risk training scenarios can help.
Using these scenarios within the VirTra simulator allows officers to practice under a low-stress environment. For newer officers, it helps them focus on committing the callouts to memory. The instructor can set the pace of the learning environment based on the officer’s experience and performance.
The High-Risk Stop scenarios allow departments to choose their preferred method of setup positions for the vehicle occupants. Trainers can choose between placing the subjects in the prone position by the vehicle or they can have the occupants walk back into the “cone of darkness” and be setup for proper handcuffing.
When using the VirTra High-Risk Stop scenarios, the officers (students) should be placed in a chair next to the driver or passenger seat of the on-screen squad car. This allows the officer to get the sense of sitting inside of the squad while performing the callouts.
If you want to kick your training up a notch, I suggest getting a squad door from your fleet department or a junk yard. You can easily mount a door on some scrap pieces of lumber and place it inside the simulator against the screen in the same position it would be in the real-world. Doing this allows the officer to place themselves in the correct position of the A-pillar and the door frame while doing the stop.
The High-Risk scenarios that are included in the VirTra training library offer trainers the ability to choose from a classic high-risk stop, a stop where occupants can run, as well as situations involving occupants that will put officers into deadly force situations.
Whatever version of the High-Risk Stop scenario you choose, make sure to be familiar with all of the options available to you as an instructor. The branching for these scenarios is quite extensive, so as to maximize the training opportunities.
Stay safe. Stay dedicated.
From the drill rifles that predated the First World War to high-tech laser systems that police use today, firearms simulation training dates back further than one might expect. The evolution of firearms simulators shows a journey from simple inert devices to sophisticated, digital systems used by modern military and law enforcement agencies. Let’s look at the firearms simulators of yesteryear to grasp how far the technology has come.
Training guns have been around nearly as long as their functional counterparts because firearms training carries inherent risk. During the late 19th century, drill instructors realized the benefits of equipping recruits with non-firing dummy rifles, or “drill rifles,” to reduce injuries during practice bayonet charges.
However, these training tools were entirely inert. Technology needed to evolve for a more realistic solution to fall into trainees hands.
Two world wars showed that armed forces could increase training volume by reducing ammunition costs. Enter the Swift Training Rifle. This and similar designs employed spring-loaded needles that, when combined with proprietary paper targets, taught trainees proper shooting and aiming techniques. These tools were cheap to manufacture and moderately effective for instructors, giving recruits hands-on experience before their time on a live range.
The increased outcry for police training in the 1970s and 80s gave firearm simulation tech the shot in the arm it needed to go beyond its analog roots. 1983 marked the first adoption of a full-fledged “shoot-don’t-shoot” simulator – with The Simulated Media Environment Program. This behemoth featured an early computer, 8-channel tape, a video camera, 24 slide projectors, and a revolver loaded with blanks. This $600,000 system used sound detection to document an officer’s decisions, but the crude technology had several drawbacks- chiefly that the characters in the “scenarios” wouldn’t always respond to being shot.
Rapid innovation in computer graphics during the 80s and 90s paved the way for systems that more closely resemble those used today. FATs, or Firearms Training Systems, was an early innovator. Pioneered by Formula One racer Jody Scheckter, FATS was designed to improve upon existing laser shooting simulators, many of which more closely resembled “duck-hunt”-style video games. This system used a single screen and a tethered laser targeting system to train recruits. Systems like VirTra improved on this initial design by adding untethered, modified service weapons and multiscreen immersion.
VirTra has continued to build on the rich legacy of this lifesaving technology. Current VirTra systems feature high-resolution projected environments designed to simulate complex real-world scenarios that branch depending on user decisions. These systems allow trainees to practice in simulated situations that test their marksmanship and judgment in high-stress environments. Using untethered, modified service weapons enhances realism, while multiscreen setups provide a fully immersive, 300-degree experience that mimics the level of awareness needed in real-life situations.
Additions like True-Fire have further advanced the field by offering a true-to-life recoil simulation without false fire, or shots actuated without a trigger pull. Tools like Advanced Skills Magazines also play a key role, as instructors can remotely simulate different weapon malfunctions, forcing trainees to practice clearing jams on the fly. Together, these innovations ensure that today’s simulation technology prepares law enforcement and military personnel more effectively than ever. They offer the closest experience possible to real-life situations and combat without the associated risks while eschewing the cost of training scenario actors.
Firearms simulation technology has come a long way from its early days of drill rifles and analog systems, developing into highly sophisticated tools that offer realistic, immersive training experiences. As social and combat landscapes evolve, VirTra will continue to serve at the forefront of simulator technology to provide solutions that prepare the men and women in uniform that will face them.
To speak with a VirTra specialist about how your agency can join this forefront of firearms simulation technology, click here.
Sources:
Benefits of simulated recoil: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214914719301163
Swift training rifle: https://www.rifleman.org.uk/The_Swift_training_rifle.html
Beginning of police simulator training: https://tedium.co/2018/10/23/police-training-simulator-history/
Early Attempts at Simulated Firearm Kits: https://worap.wordpress.com/2016/11/03/classic-replica-air-pistol-review-crosman-38-revolvers/