About VirTra
VirTra is one of the largest developers and producers of police training simulators in the country. These large screen simulators place police officers in immersive and realistic de-escalation, and use-of-force training scenarios, and have been featured on CNN, MSNBC, ABC News, Fox News, and NPR as a way to reduce the number of tragic police-involved shootings. The simulators are accompanied by a nationally certified training curriculum.
VirTra has continued to be a solution that attracts media attention – both local and national – as part of our effort to be the most effective training solution. If you wish to interview one of our subject matter experts or film in-person at a training facility near you, please contact VirTra Public Relations.
VirTra Training in Action
Attracting Media Attention Across the World
Showcased below are a variety of videos that have appeared across various articles and news programs. Watch as departments show off how these high-tech law enforcement virtual training simulators have been incorporated into their training departments.
VirTra in Print
News Articles Featuring VirTra Customers
‘Felt like a real-life situation’: Washington County deputies train in the use of force with virtual reality
“It exposes them to the potential use of force scenarios; it helps them evaluate their knowledge of the use of force law. It gives that student officer the opportunity to evaluate their decision-making,” Durden explains. Read more here.
Behind the Badge: Stopping a crisis before it starts
“You experience virtually any situation here that you would encounter on the street… much like the concept of an airline pilot that would go through a flight simulator,” said Scott Carver, Director of Training for the Utah Attorney General’s Office VirTra Training Center. Read more here.
A Police Advocate’s Simple Suggestion: Walk a Simulated Mile in a Cop’s Shoes
“The VirTra system will be able to provide realistic training to our entire department in a safe environment where they can pause the scenario and learn from their trainer. This will help provide training on areas like de-escalation, use of force, dealing with mentally ill or disabled people in addition to talking.” Read more here.
How simulator technology improves police cadet training
“Since getting the system, we’ve had several visits from political leaders and members of the media. We hope this coverage will encourage other agencies to look into simulation training.” – Warren Wilson, Enid PD, OK. Read more here.
Virtual Training Simulator to Help Prepare St. Charles Police Officers
St. Charles Police Station’s proposal to install a real-life VirTra training simulator is moving forward. “This type of training provides the opportunity to employ intervention strategies for police to help individuals in crisis with a goal of minimizing the need for physical or deadly force. The system does also provide opportunity for proficiency training with firearms and less-lethal weapons at a significant cost savings in comparison with the use of live rounds,” Deputy Police Chief Erik Mahan. Read more here.
EXCLUSIVE: Bellevue Police Use Realistic Simulators to Train Officers on De-Escalation
“One of the things that we need to work is just from square one of being a police officer is just how to talk to people,” Sgt. John Stuck. VirTra’s simulators help officers learn better communication and verbal de-escalation through scenarios ranging from calls about fights to a distraught employee with a gun. Read more here.
Some People Like to Bash the Police. So Officers Invited Them to Walk in Their Shoes—and it Blew Their Minds.
“It’s nothing like what you see on television. I thought it would be much easier,” Reggie McGill, Orlando Mayor’s Municipal Labor Committee Commission member.
“Each one of your [officers] put your life on the line trying to protect others, so I have a greater appreciation for OPD after experiencing this personally,” Tom Keen, Board Member. Read more here.
Phoenix Autism Advocates Help Create Virtual Training for Police
VirTra partnered with SARRC—Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center—to “…create these video training simulators so that police officers are not just getting educated on what autism is but more importantly are practicing the skills to interact with somebody with autism and get adequate feedback for doing that in as safe a way as possible,” Daniel Openden, President of SARRC. Read more here.
Who’s a Good Boy? Police Departments Step Up Training to Find Which Dogs Are
“The Law Enforcement Dog Encounters Training handbook was published by the Justice Department this fall in response to police departments across the country encountering public outrage and potential lawsuits after run-ins with aggressive family pets resulted in officers shooting the animals.” This program, paired with VirTra’s dog-based scenarios, teach officers the signs of friendly vs. aggressive dogs. Read more here.
Deputy Chief Norm Lipinsky
Delta Police Department
There may be an impression out there that this type of training is about police learning to shoot accurately, in a high-pressure situation. While that’s important, it’s not actually our priority. Really, what’s vital for us, is that the simulator gives officers the chance to practice decision making. It’s decision making practice, not target practice.
