There is no question that pistol red dot sights are here to stay. What started as a military technology can now be found on a growing number of officer weapons. Driven by performance advantages seen in competition shooting and declining costs, red dot adoption shows no sign of slowing down. So, what are the benefits of this option, and how does it impact your agency’s training?

For the uninitiated, red dot sights (RDS) are a type of electronic optic sight for firearms. They have long been used on rifles, carbines, and competition handguns and are steadily seeing adoption on duty handguns. They date back to the 1970s but have been widely available since 2006. There are many RDS models, but for law enforcement, it usually comes down to a few options due to authorized equipment lists.

Aimpoint ACRO P-2
• Pro: Good FOV
• Pro: Enclosed emitter

Holosun EPS
• Pro: Enclosed Emitter, less cleaning needed

Leupold Delta Point Pro (DPP)
• Pro: Motion Sensor Technology (MST™) extends battery life.

Sig Romeo Zero
• Pro: Inexpensive

Trijicon RMR
• Pro: Versatile MOA options

They all consist of a metal frame, emitter, and a reflective surface. Usually, they will differ in dot brightness/color, battery life, and durability. There are arguments as to the “best” option – every law enforcement agency will have to take its own needs into consideration when purchasing and issuing RDSs.

Why use an RDS? Most shooters agree they deliver faster target acquisition, but they have become especially significant for law enforcement due to the enhanced threat focus they offer. Since officers do not need to shift visual focus between the target, front and rear iron sights while using an RDS, they can pay closer attention to the subject. This potentially improves the safety of both the officer and the subject and increases situational awareness. RDSs have other benefits, as well as some drawbacks.

Another significant advantage of the RDS is accuracy. Sure, plenty of shooters will attest that they can outperform RDS users with their iron sights, but by and large, RDSs have been proven to reduce marksmanship qualification time and cost. In one study, iron-sighted shooters only made “critical hits” 28% of the time, while red-dot sighted shooters did so 70% of the time.

Officers with diminished eyesight (aging) also benefit from using red dot sights. Since a red dot overlays the reticle over the target, it reduces the burden of shifting focus from sights to subject and allows them to be more confident they’ll hit what they are aiming at. In total, these factors contribute to an overall improved response time, which translates to safer officers and safer communities.

RDS Drawbacks

“Well, if RDSs are so great, then why doesn’t everyone use them?”

Admittedly, red dots are not a cure-all. They’re still costly, even as prices have decreased over the past 5 years. It can be a hefty investment to order red dots for your entire team and ensure they fit in your holster. Be prepared to pay an even larger sum if your agency’s service weapons are not compatible with off-the-shelf red dot mounting options.

Additionally, red dots cannot make a poor shooter into an excellent one – only a firm grasp of proper shooting fundamentals can do that. Plus, they mainly require batteries to function, placing officers in a challenging situation if their optic is not powered.

A significant number of police departments have decided that RDS benefits outweigh the potential drawbacks, as the RDS market is expected to grow to $96.9M by 2032 (largely driven by LE adoption). For those who have come to the same conclusion, here is a quick start guide for installing and setting up your RDS.

Compatibility and Mounting

When transitioning to red dot sights, ensuring compatibility with your agency’s service weapons before purchase is paramount. Many of the most popular law enforcement firearms now offer models or modifications designed for RDS integration. Below are some key details regarding compatibility for commonly used handguns:

  • Glock 17 and Glock 19: Red dot compatibility began with the introduction of the Glock MOS (Modular Optic System) platform in 2015.
  • Sig Sauer P320: The P320 RX series, designed with RDS compatibility, launched in 2017, featuring a slide cut for direct optic mounting.
  • Smith & Wesson M&P: The M&P M2.0 CORE (Competition Optics Ready Equipment) series debuted in 2016, providing built-in mounting options for various optics.

When mounting an RDS, ensure that the optic is securely affixed to the firearm. Use high-quality screws and mounting plates, preferably those recommended or provided by the manufacturer, to avoid loose fittings under recoil. Proper torque settings are critical, so investing in a torque wrench designed for firearm applications is advisable. Regular checks during maintenance can ensure your optic remains firmly mounted and operational.

Implementing Red Dot Training

Red dot sights offer significant advantages to law enforcement officers, from improved accuracy and threat focus to faster target acquisition. However, like any tool, their effectiveness depends on proper training and implementation. This is where VirTra’s simulators and V-VICTA (Virtual Interactive Coursework Training Academy) Red Dot Transition course shines.

As the only RDS training program POST-certified and developed in partnership with Victory First utilizing Aimpoint, VirTra provides officers with a structured way to transition to red dot technology and save time and money at the range. By integrating advanced simulation scenarios, agencies can ensure that officers not only master the mechanics of using an RDS but also gain situational awareness and decision-making skills.

Getting Started with Red Dot Sights: Drills

Now that your sight is mounted and secure, let’s start training. Below are two foundational drills from the VirTra RDOT program designed to help officers zero their RDS and build confidence with their new equipment. Begin by co-witnessing the red dot with iron sights, then proceed to the drills.

  • Drill #1: Obtaining Zero
  • Drill #2: Confirming Zero

Drills provide officers with a structured approach to learning and fine tuning the RDS within simulation. When combined with advanced training scenarios, skill drills and the accompanying certified V-VICTA curriculum, they can significantly enhance proficiency and confidence.

Whether your agency is considering red dot sights for the first time or looking to enhance its current training protocols, combining high-quality equipment with cutting-edge training like VirTra’s V-VICTA courses can lead to safer outcomes for both officers and the communities they serve.

For more information on safe simulation RDS training and to explore VirTra’s curriculum, click here.

The International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association (ILEETA) continues to set the gold standard for law enforcement training with its annual conference, a six-day event that brings together instructors and experts from around the globe. The 2025 ILEETA Training Conference and Expo, held at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel, offered over 100 specialized courses designed to enhance the skills and safety of criminal justice practitioners. This year, VirTra’s Lon Bartel and TJ Alioto stood out as key presenters, delivering impactful sessions that underscored ILEETA’s mission to reduce law enforcement risks through advanced training.

ILEETA: A Hub for Law Enforcement Excellence

Founded in 2003 by Ed Nowicki, ILEETA is dedicated to equipping law enforcement trainers with cutting-edge tools and techniques to improve officer performance and community safety. The annual conference is a cornerstone of this mission, offering an unparalleled opportunity for instructors to network, share knowledge, and refine their teaching methods. With training tracks ranging from use of force to instructor development and defensive tactics, the conference is a comprehensive resource for those committed to professional growth.

Beyond the formal instruction, the ILEETA Expo showcases the latest advancements in law enforcement technology and services, providing attendees with actionable insights they can bring back to their agencies. As Todd Fletcher, an ILEETA advisory board member, aptly put it, “The ILEETA conference is the single best training event of the year. It recharges my batteries year after year.”

Lon Bartel: Bridging Science and Practice

Lon Bartel, Principal Researcher at VirTra and a certified use-of-force analyst with over 20 years of law enforcement experience, brought his expertise to multiple sessions at this year’s conference. His course *Graham v. Connor: A New View* provided attendees with a high-fidelity re-enactment of the events leading to the landmark Supreme Court case. Participants analyzed legal precedents and tested their decision-making skills in simulated scenarios, gaining a deeper understanding of how Graham v. Connor continues to shape use-of-force policies today.

Bartel also taught *My Story: Kyle Dinkheller*, a sobering session that revisited the tragic 1998 shooting of Deputy Kyle Dinkheller. By dissecting tactical considerations and lessons learned from this incident, Bartel helped attendees strengthen their critical thinking skills for high-risk encounters. His ability to translate complex legal and tactical concepts into practical training underscores his reputation as a leader in simulation-based education.

In addition to his courses, Bartel participated in the highly anticipated Use of Force panel discussion alongside other industry experts. This panel delved into the challenges of contextualizing use-of-force training, emphasizing the need for realistic, scenario-based exercises that go beyond “check-the-box” approaches. Bartel’s insights highlighted the importance of connecting knowledge with physical action under stress—an approach he has championed throughout his career.

TJ Alioto: Championing Autism Awareness

Salvatore “TJ” Alioto, another standout presenter from VirTra, leveraged his 27 years of law enforcement experience to teach *Autism: A Guide for First Responders*. This course equipped attendees with practical strategies for identifying signs of autism and effectively communicating with individuals on the spectrum. Through immersive simulated scenarios, participants practiced de-escalation techniques tailored to this unique population.

Alioto’s session addressed a critical gap in law enforcement training by fostering empathy and understanding among officers who may encounter individuals with autism in high-stress situations. His commitment to bridging this gap reflects ILEETA’s broader goal of enhancing community relations through specialized instruction.

ILEETA’s Impact on Law Enforcement Training

The 2025 ILEETA conference exemplified why it remains a must-attend event for law enforcement trainers worldwide. By offering diverse courses that address both foundational skills and emerging challenges, ILEETA ensures its members are equipped to meet the evolving demands of their profession.

For presenters like Lon Bartel and TJ Alioto, ILEETA provides a platform to share their expertise while advancing innovative approaches to officer training. Whether analyzing landmark legal cases or fostering inclusivity through autism awareness, their contributions embody the spirit of continuous improvement that defines ILEETA.

As law enforcement agencies face increasing scrutiny and complex societal challenges, organizations like ILEETA play an essential role in preparing trainers—and by extension, officers—to navigate these dynamics effectively. The lessons learned at this year’s conference will undoubtedly ripple outward, shaping safer practices and stronger communities across the globe.

So, You Want to Create a Nationally Certified Police Training Course?

First of all, kudos to you! The law enforcement community needs people like you. Creating training directly impacts the readiness of officers in the field and the safety of their communities. Plus, new training is a key factor in recruiting and retaining officers, which is a major hurdle facing many police agencies. But do you know what you’re getting yourself into? There’s a reason not every cop is a cop educator. This process takes time, patience, money, and a whole lot of effort. Let’s dig in.

 

The Long Road Ahead

Pre-work: Develop the skills and expertise in the topic area. Is it a specialized area that requires specialized skills, knowledge, ability? Ensure it is within your scope of expertise or you have access to the subject mater experts to assist you. 

The Costs

Creating police training can add up to a significant sum. Research shows that developing one hour of instructor-led training can take anywhere from 43 to 185 hours, depending on complexity. That means a 100-hour curriculum could take between 4,300 and 18,500 hours, or cost an agency $229,000 to $555,000 in labor alone.

(If you’re looking for a cost-effective, ready-to-go solution, V-VICTA delivers 100 hours of POST-certified, training, without the overwhelming development burden. Learn more: https://www.virtra.com/overview-le/v-victa-training/)

Understand the Standards
Before you do anything, you need to familiarize yourself with the IADLEST National Certification Program (NCP) standards. These guidelines determine if your course is rigorous, relevant, and meets instructor qualifications. Also, conduct a needs assessment. Figure out knowledge gaps and align your course with real-world law enforcement challenges. Don’t forget legal and ethical compliance. Your curriculum must meet your state and federal training requirements, which are often available on state POST websites.

Build a Strong Foundation
It may help to follow an instructional design model like instructional design model like ADDIE to guide your process. Think of curriculum development like building a house: start with the foundation before adding specialized content. The design model you choose does not matter as much as the fact that you follow one. This will reduce the burden of organizing the course material.

 

Testing & Instructional Materials

Assess Learning Effectiveness
A great course requires teaching AND performance measurement. That means:

  • Pre-tests to assess baseline knowledge.
  • Post-tests to measure retention (use scenario-based, not just multiple-choice).
  • Rubrics for consistent evaluation.

Equip Instructors
At every stage, think about how easy it will be for other instructors to deliver your course. That means an instructor guide is a MUST: clear learning objectives, discussion points, and engagement strategies.

  • PowerPoint slides should be concise and visual—no walls of text! Ask yourself, Would a Gen Z officer in training stay engaged in the presentation? Would I?
  • Workbooks with bullet points help officers remember key concepts and take notes.

 

Hands-On Learning & Police Curriculum Certification

Keep It Real with Scenarios
The best learning happens through experience. Use hands-on instruction like:

  • Live role-playing exercises
  • Simulator training

Consider any real-world situations you’ve experienced where you had to apply the knowledge being taught. These can provide an excellent foundation for your course’s scenarios.
To increase knowledge retention, consider a structured debriefing to help officers process and apply what they’ve learned.

 

Get Certified
Before launching, get feedback from subject matter experts (SMEs) to ensure accuracy: colleagues, published experts, and any mentors that have relevant experience. Then, pilot test your course to fine-tune pacing and content. Assuming all went smoothly, next you can:

  • Submit a detailed certification package to IADLEST.
  • Be prepared for revisions!

 

Launch, Evaluate & Improve Your Police Curriculum

Train & Engage Instructors

Your instructors should facilitate discussions, encourage critical thinking, and keep officers engaged. If you gained any valuable insights while piloting the course, now is the time to share them with your training team. Ensure your instructors are equipped with the necessary tools to make the training effective and impactful.

Track Performance & Maintain

  • Collect participant feedback to refine training.
  • Conduct an annual review to update content for new laws & best practices.
  • Keep detailed records for compliance and certification renewal.

Bottom line? Writing a police curriculum is a marathon, not a sprint. But if you see it through, you’ll help officers develop critical skills to serve their communities.

 

Need a Shortcut? We’ve Got You Covered

If you made it this far, congratulations! We look forward to seeing your course certification announcement on IADLEST social media. Now, go get some much-needed rest. We certainly needed some!

Creating a training course or police curriculum is time-consuming, costly, and complex. Even with an in-house team like at VirTra, it’s a heavy lift.

If you’re crunched for time and budget, skip the hassle and use our ready-to-use curriculum. It’s:

  • Fully developed with rubrics, tests, presentations, videos & case law.
  • POST-certified and ready to use on Day One.
  • FREE with every VirTra simulator

V-VICTA is how VirTra gives back to the law enforcement training community. Because nothing should stand between you and training your officers.

Learn more: https://www.virtra.com/overview-le/v-victa-training/

 

Sources:

Chapman, B. (2010). How Long Does it Take to Create Learning? [Research Study]. Published by Chapman Alliance LLC. www.chapmanalliance.com

Karl M. Kapp, Robyn A Defelice. “Time to Develop One Hour of Training.” ATD, 31 Aug. 2009. Web. 31 Jan. 2017. www.td.org

TASER® training is essential for law enforcement, as most police agencies in the country (and around the world) utilize these less lethal devices. However, properly training with live ECWs can be difficult, time intensive, and expensive.

Instead of limited less lethal training, police officers can receive training in the full range of less-lethal tools inside high-fidelity simulators. VirTra’s simulation training is designed to be realistic and to provide transferrable training.

Less Lethal Training

Realism for TASER training is created through a combination of on-screen characters and VirTra’s TASER simulation cartridges.

Your Axon TASER can be utilized in the simulator for training. By replacing the live cartridge with VirTra’s laser-based training cartridge, training can be done safely in your simulator. When officers deploy their ECW, the characters on screen react accordingly. From training in this manner, officers become more comfortable with less lethal options and reduce training scars by using the real tool.

Certified Curriculum for TASER Training and Weapon Transitions

VirTra’s NCP-certified TASER Targeting curriculum for law enforcement provides coursework for instructors to train officers on when to use their TASER and how to aim and deploy properly. A part of V-VICTA® coursework, instructors have access to training manuals, testing material, surveys, and more.

Additionally, the Weapon Transitions course helps officers switch from lethal to less lethal and vice versa. As shown in the video above, the user can switch tools depending on the level of threat presented. This training can help to prevent weapon mix-ups.

Want to learn more about our less lethal training options? Contact a product specialist here! Also, check out our YouTube channel to see other ways of maximizing your training simulator.

*AXON, TASER, X2 and X26P are registered trademarks of AXON ENTERPRISE, INC which can be referenced here.

To deliver the best possible training experience to our clients, we have partnered with industry experts. These partnerships have provided additional expertise in various certified V-VICTA curriculum offered.

Partners include:

  • Force Science – Courses including “Weapon Transitions” and “Human Factors” were co-authored by the experts at Force Science – a widely-known law enforcement research, training, and consulting company.
  • Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center – Due to the need to support interactions between law enforcement and people on the autism spectrum, VirTra partnered with SARRC to provide curriculum to teach officers how to safely and effectively communicate with people on the spectrum.
  • National Sheriff’s Association – VirTra has worked alongside NSA to develop training focused on dog encounters. While not a certified course, it is the first of its kind that includes interactive scenarios and lessons on how to distinguish dog behavior.
  • Aimpoint® – A mounted optic provider, Aimpoint assisted VirTra in the creation of the “Red Dot Optic Training & Sustainment” course by allowing the utilization of their pistol mounted red dot optics. Aimpoint is recognized as the originator of red dot sight technology.
  • Victory First – VirTra developed the “Red Dot Optic Training & Sustainment” course in conjunction with Victory First owner Matt Jacques – a retired officer and U.S. Marine veteran. Victory First trains law enforcement as well as responsible firearm owners.

VirTra has also worked with Haley Strategic and Action Target for applying lessons learned in the simulator to the real world. Whether it is decision-making or marksmanship, the important part of training is that it can be transferred to reality.

We appreciate and thank our partners for their contributions to our training, making it more sustainable and trustworthy.

It’s estimated that 53% of US households have a dog, which totals 63+ million homes. As such, there is a significantly greater chance of encountering subjects with pets.

With officers entering residencies and parks where dogs may roam unleashed, there is a good chance officers will run into untrained or uncompliant dogs. While many pups are naturally friendly and curious, some are territorial and aggressive, making it difficult for law enforcement to perform their jobs. A bite from a large, aggressive dog is quite painful and could pose health risks.

To prevent injury to oneself and unnecessary harm to pets, the National Law Enforcement Center on Animal Abuse (NLECAA) as well as the National Sheriff’s Association (NSA) to created the LEDET Dog Encounters coursework for officers.

For law enforcement officers to gauge their safety, they must first understand canine behavior, which manifests itself via clues to the dog’s mood. For example, a dog with a wagging tail and relaxed posture is happy and unlikely to bite or cause harm. An aggressive dog will bare their teeth, growl and/or maintain a tense posture. By recognizing these signs, officers will know if they can proceed or must exercise extreme caution.

VirTra took training a step further by creating a variety of simulated scenarios that focus on dog behaviors. Each scenario has the officer practice correctly identifying the canine’s behavior and diffusing the situation if necessary. An example is featured below in our scenario titled “Property Alarm Response”, where the responding officer correctly analyzes the dog’s behavior and responds properly:

This form of realistic, skill-honing training is designed to reduce and potentially eliminate incidents where an officer kills a family pet due to an inability to properly understand the dog’s intention. Not only does shooting a pet cause distress to the owner, but oftentimes, costly lawsuits can result. Departments can limit these incidents effectively through proper, increased training.

To learn more about this coursework specially developed by the NSA and NLECAA and brought to simulation by VirTra, contact a specialist!

From the way we perceive, recognize, and respond to a threat to how that stress affects our performance, there is a science behind every human reaction and perception. To better understand optimum training and tactics, it is important to understand the science behind human performance as well.

It is beneficial for instructors to know how the brain processes and uses information. This information is what directs the body to perform in a certain way. By studying these processes even at surface level, the complexity of decision making in policework becomes apparent. It can help foster better training habits to recognize how the mind works with the body.

Perception

When we get information from the environment through sight, sound, etc., our minds process it. Both the information and the interpretation of it are the two vital parts of perception.

Perception can be altered if the information is of a lower quality – such as an excess of or lack of light or sound from the environment. If your focus of attention is elsewhere or non-existent, it interferes with perception. Additionally, arousal can heighten your ability to perceive.

Schema is another possible obstacle to perception. Schemas are models used to organize knowledge and categorize certain things and situations. This is what allows us to recognize events quickly in the world. For example, imagine a subject drawing a weapon. Some may imagine a person pulling a gun from the hip area. However, there are other objects besides a gun that can be removed from the hip area. A phone or a wallet, for example.

Reaction and Response Time

When a person hears and/or sees a stimulus, it takes time for the brain to process and interpret that information before an action is performed. You must also account for the time it takes to move to complete that action. Many things can lengthen the time between perception and response.

This process is vital for officers and instructors to understand, as it relates to the commonly used “split-second decision making” described in policework.  It is also where decision training comes into play and considering what types of training foster correct decisions and fast responses.

Think of how parts of many firearms training courses work. A buzzer goes off, and the officer shoots a target. This is a great example of a stimulus eliciting a response; however, it is not the pattern that officer involved shootings follow. This is where officers should be trained in evaluating before responding – not just relying on stimuli.

Stress and Arousal

Stress is different for everyone. Sometimes it comes from chaos, sometimes from an event perceived as frightening. It tends to happen to officers particularly when their safety is at stake. Stress increases your heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate while also making you more tense.

Arousal relates more to heightened senses and readiness to act. You have likely heard of the “fight, flight, freeze, fawn” responses – these are initiated by arousal. Arousal can increase performance to a certain point – and it depends on whether the task is cognitive-based or strength-based. Having lower arousal is better during a cognitive task such as chess, but higher is better for a strength or endurance task like wrestling.

When keeping stress and arousal in mind – imagine how they may affect an officer during a tense situation.

Human Factors in Force Encounters

Due to the high importance of this topic, VirTra developed a 7-hour NCP-certified course based on groundbreaking research such as the work done by Force Science. “Human Factors in Force Encounters” includes in-depth information pertaining to the information above while fostering decision making by providing 7 modules of drills to be completed in the VirTra simulator. It intertwines classroom learning and practice in a simulated environment.

If you are interested in starting your simulation training journey with VirTra, contact a specialist.

Protecting your health on the job as a police officer is important as it’s a career with a lot of human interaction. When you work with others, there is always an opportunity to catch a “bug” or other virus. There are also risks of more serious diseases if care is not taken when risks are apparent.

HIV, Hepatitis A, B, and C, and tuberculosis can be transmitted through a variety of different ways – such as air particles and contact with blood/saliva. If you have a weaker immune system, even a cold or flu that would normally be a minor hassle could become more severe.

Being aware of risk factors and preventing the spread of infectious diseases can help keep you and those you work with safer. It is vital to be cautious when dealing with an individual who may possess needles, has a persistent cough, or is spitting or otherwise ejecting bodily fluids.

 

The Causes of Infectious Diseases

Infectious diseases are illnesses that are caused by either bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites and can spread in various police scenarios. Depending on the organism transmitted, an infected person can experience varying symptoms. These can resolve on their own with rest, but other serious cases may require treatment or even hospitalization.

Bacteria, though the word has a negative connotation at times, are not always bad. Some cause no effect to humans. Some live in the gut to help us digest food. Examples of infections caused by bad bacteria include strep throat, tuberculosis, MRSA, and food poisoning.

Viruses require a host (people, animals, plants) in order to grow and survive. Some common viral infections include the common cold and COVID-19. Certain ailments such as pneumonia and meningitis can be caused by either a virus or bacteria.

Fungi can cause skin diseases such as ringworm and athlete’s foot, as well as infect your lungs or nervous system.

Parasites are microscopic living organisms that require a host to survive. Malaria is a disease caused by a parasite that is transmitted by mosquito bites. Some parasites can be transmitted from animal feces.

 

How Diseases are Transmitted

There are two basic ways diseases are passed to humans – either direct or indirect contact.

Direct contact can be person to person. If an infected person coughs or sneezes on you, you have a chance of obtaining the same infection. Another possibility is animal to person, which occurs when an infected animal scratches or bites a human. Handling animal waste can cause infection as well.

Indirect contact can occur in a few different ways. Germs can linger on objects like doorknobs or tables, and if someone touches an infected item and then their face, the germs can be transferred. Insect bites are another example of transmission through indirect contact. Infection can also be spread through contaminated food and water, such as E. coli.

 

Preventing Infectious Diseases

As we remember from the COVID-19 pandemic, there are various types of personal protective equipment (PPE) that can lower the risk of transmission. Some may even prevent infection entirely. It is also important to remember the basics like washing your hands thoroughly.

Here are some steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of disease:

  • Properly wear nitril gloves, eye protection, and face masks to prevent contact with saliva or other bodily fluids.
  • Avoid touching your mouth, nose, or eyes with your hands.
  • Hepatitis B and Tetanus vaccines are recommended by the CDC for first responders.
  • If you feel sick (vomiting, have a fever, etc.), do not go to work.
  • Do not allow the general public to use your personal pen for signing documents.
  • Wash your hands frequently.

To protect your health on the job as a police officer, always remember to get the necessary tests if you believe you were exposed to someone with a viral infection. If you were accidentally stuck with a foreign needle, getting tested is even more of a priority and should not be put off.

 

VirTra’s Infectious Diseases Course for Law Enforcement

An upcoming course titled “Infectious Diseases” will soon be available to current law enforcement clients. This 4-hour course falls under the V-VICTA® curriculum umbrella and includes an instructor manual, testing materials, a class roster, and more.

Three new police scenarios are introduced with this course. They include situations where the responding officer needs to exercise caution around a possibly infected individual, as well as someone refusing to wear a mask when a business requires one.

Emotionally disturbed person(s) – or EDP – is a broad and vague term often used to describe someone with a mental illness experiencing some sort of crisis. This includes erratic behavior that can be harmful to oneself or others.

The most recent data from the National Institute of Mental Health shows that more than one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness. Some mental illnesses can be so mild they are nearly undetectable. Others are severe and debilitating with symptoms that limit activities in life.

Because of the high number of individuals that law enforcement officers interact with every day, they are bound to encounter someone with a mental illness. For this reason, VirTra’s law enforcement simulation training for mental illness and EDP encounters has many scenarios that allow police to practice these scenarios. It also will help them recognize when someone is experiencing a crisis or is suffering from a mental illness.

 

Misery Mountain

In this scenario, the responding officer in the simulator is dispatched to a hiking trail in the mountains. A man is sitting on the edge of the mountain, clearly upset. As the user will find out, the man is suffering from depression. The goal in this law enforcement simulation training for mental illness and EDP encounter is to calm him down and get him away from the side of the trail.

“Misery Mountain” is entirely dialogue-based and there are no force options available. The goal is to speak to the man in a way that calms him down and ensures he is being listened to.

Government Spy Games

Some situations may look unusual, but if nothing illegal is happening and there is no disturbance, it can be best to let the situation go. In “Government Spy Games,” the user is playing the role of an officer dispatched to a welfare check. You learn in advance in this law enforcement simulation training for mental illness and EDP encounter that the individual is mentally ill, and that their family has not heard from them in a while.

When you enter and see a man whose home is covered in aluminum foil, it is certainly a strange sight. The man is very paranoid, but upon questioning and seeing that he is alright, there is no reason to press further. This scenario is a dialogue-based one where no force is needed.

Office Anxiety

When interacting with a person in crisis, it is important to choose the right words and tone of voice. In the scenario “Office Anxiety,” the officer in the simulator must calm an office worker who is holding a pair of scissors. She has scars on her arms from previous cutting, and is causing her colleagues to worry for everyone’s safety. The woman can be de-escalated depending on what the user says, or they could become more irate, leading to an encounter with a higher level of force.

Training for Several Mental Illnesses

Due to how common interactions with mentally ill subjects are, VirTra created a 15-hour course to assist law enforcement clients. Mental illness comes in all forms, so VirTra’s “Mental Illness: A Practical Approach” curriculum covers 9 different types:

  • Persons in crisis (crisis de-escalation)
  • Depression
  • Suicide & suicidal ideation
  • Anxiety
  • Trauma & PTSD
  • Neurocognitive disorders (dementia, Alzheimer’s)
  • Schizophrenia & mood disorders
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
  • Substance use

Each module of this course includes slide presentations, class evaluation forms, tests, and the associated scenarios to run through. After engaging in classroom instruction, officers can practice their skills in the simulator.

 

In the end, our goal in providing these scenarios and courses is to keep officers and their communities safe. Training for mental illness encounters and being able to recognize them can save lives. If you would like to get started with VirTra’s training courses, contact a specialist.

 

References:

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness

When used properly, de-escalation can reduce police use of force. While not every situation permits de-escalation—as some subjects are noncompliant no matter what—there are times when the proper tone of voice or choice of words can calm the subject or reduce the chance of them becoming out of control.

Recently, many agencies have heavily focused on maximizing law enforcement de-escalation training to lower the frequency of force used by their officers. To help further this training, VirTra has produced two nationally-certified de-escalation courses that are free for all law enforcement clients.

This training—De-Escalation and Crisis De-Escalation—has a total of 6 training hours which encompasses coursework, presentations, and de-escalation training scenarios. As nationally-certified materials, they fall under the V-VICTA®—Virtual Interactive Coursework Academy—program, along with other skill-building curriculum.

De-Escalation Curriculum

Born from a partnership between VirTra and the conflict experts at VISTELAR, this 4-hour course allows officers to practice de-escalating situations before they become detrimental. In the course, this is referred to by VISTELAR as “non-escalation.” Paired with simulator scenarios that allow the officer to practice verbal de-escalation, this course is dedicated to improving communication.

Crisis De-Escalation Curriculum

This 2-hour course is designed to help officers better identify crisis behaviors and use their VirTra simulator’s real-world scenarios to practice their skills. Like “De-Escalation” and other V-VICTA courses, Crisis De-Escalation provides ample time for training in lifelike scenarios.

The video below shows two officers utilizing a popular scenario, “Bridge Baby.” In this scenario, officers confront a man holding an infant over a bridge. Officers in the simulator must use communication skills to calm the man and convince him to put down the baby and surrender.

Getting Started With Maximizing Law Enforcement De-Escalation Training

With a wide variety of environments, situations and subjects, instructors have an extensive choice of training options for their officers. Everything from unruly bystanders to emotionally disturbed persons – VirTra aims to cover as much territory as possible to prepare law enforcement for unpredictable situations.

The best part is that these two courses are already NCP-certified by IADLEST. This saves agencies a lot of time by not having to write and certify their own curriculum. Both courses – as well as other V-VICTA courses – have all the materials needed. From instructor manuals to testing materials, it is all included.

It is important to note that nearly every scenario in VirTra’s library has an option for de-escalation. VirTra goes beyond “shoot-don’t-shoot” by providing various branching options that depend on the training points.

For more information on our de-escalation courses, please contact a VirTra specialist.