Classroom training serves a good purpose, as this is where instructors often deliver lectures, lessons, tests and more. However, classroom training has its limits. While yes, officers can practice role-playing and other forms of physical scenarios, it isn’t as realistic, hands-on, or effective. Rather, the best place to learn and hone physical skills is in a training simulator that immerses trainees in the event.
Instead of a classroom, trainees are transported to a parking lot, traffic stop, home or any other environment chosen. This style of training lets officers practice and perfect a skill in a realistic, controlled environment, which is then transferred to the field.
Contact and Cover Concepts
One skill easily trained in a simulator is contact and cover concepts. There will be many instances in the field where multiple officers respond to a call. Because of this, effective communication and teamwork become critical. Practicing these concepts in a simulator teaches officers how to communicate and maintain proper movement to ensure visualization of both one another and the subject.
It is more effective to create stress by immersing officers in a realistic scenario than it is to learn in a classroom. Officers can learn when to stay in their assigned role and when/if that role changes—a valuable skill.
High-Risk Vehicle Stop
There are certain circumstances in which an officer will need to engage in a high-risk vehicle stop (HRVS). However, are your officers up-to-date on protocol, tactics and practice? Officers may remember the correct maneuvers in a classroom setting, but need realistic, stress-inducing field training to truly cement this learning.
This is best done through VirTra’s V-300® simulator, whose 5 screens and 300-degree visuals immerse officers in the training. Increased visuals force officers to keep their heads on a swivel as they practice keeping themselves, their partners and nearby citizens safe from harm and properly assessing the situation.
Tourniquet Application Under Threat
Tourniquets apply pressure above limb wounds to lessen the bleeding until the victim can receive medical attention. Knowing how to utilize a tourniquet can help officers save lives—whether it be their own, a partner’s or a civilian’s. As such, this training needs to be performed often to keep skills sharp.
The best form of training is in a stress-inducing simulator. They force trainees to continue the scenario while treating themselves or the subject. VirTra’s curriculum includes these scenarios, in addition to certified courses. All of them teach about tourniquet placement, application process and more for well-rounded training.
All forms of training serve a good purpose. Ranges allow officers to keep their marksmanship skills sharp. Classrooms provide an area for instruction and learning. Role-playing helps officers practice complex scenarios and understand empathy. But to truly round out a training program, real-life training simulators are an incredible asset. Watch these officers in action to see what we mean, or contact a VirTra representative.
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