Whenever possible, law enforcement is encouraged to de-escalate volatile situations. For officers, de-escalation increases their safety while allowing them to gain control of the situation. As for the subject, complying and allowing the situation to descend increases their personal safety, as officers will not have to resort to utilizing less lethal tools.

While de-escalation is always the preferred solution, some instances do not permit de-escalation as a reasonable option. However, officers are encouraged to increase the conditions for effective de-escalation for as long as possible, before the situation is diffused or officers must use force.

Containment

The level of containment depends on the subject(s). If there is a large group of people, law enforcement may have to create and enforce boundaries to limit their movements to inside the designated area. This aids the officer’s ability to prevent sudden attacks, snap decision making or other quick threats.

As for a small group or a single suspect, containment will be smaller and more controlled, providing control to the officers.

Control

How much control an officer will exercise will depend on the situation. For example, if the contained persons are still actively engaged in assaults or evidence destruction, officers are expected to establish control before beginning verbal de-escalation.

Note: the officer’s decision to talk or control is tied to the agency and community’s policies and willingness to support that decision. Officers should be well trained in department policies to know what tactics to engage in at the appropriate times.

Contact

In the context of de-escalation, contact means both the officer and suspect are willing to engage and comply in verbal de-escalation—hence a lack of physical contact.

This is where communication becomes critical. Officers must catch and understand subtle changes in voice, pitch and tone; interpret facial expressions; and analyze body language in order to determine if the suspect is willing to de-escalate.

However, this extends farther into communication, where an officer must recognize psychological, emotional or neurological impairments and understand how to best communicate with each.

In order to better prepare officers for these interactions, VirTra created the V-VICTA™ — VirTra Virtual Interactive Coursework Training Academy—curriculum: Autism Awareness and Mental Illness. While these courses do not certify officers to diagnose conditions, they teach law enforcement what to look for and how to best communicate with these individuals. After all, one must know the best forms of communicating in order to successfully de-escalate the situation.

Communication

As discussed in the previous section, effective de-escalation requires personal communication. Taking it one step further, de-escalation—or persuasive communication—requires emotional intelligence, a good amount of patience and honed skill. Officers must understand the subject, have a set goal in mind and work towards that goal of de-escalation using the skills taught in training.

Instructors can use actors, role players or simulators in teaching effective de-escalation. For example, VirTra’s high-tech simulators immerse officers in a real-life scenario. The officer must quickly analyze the situation and engage in verbal de-escalation tactics while the instructor controls how the scenario unfolds, based on the officer’s actions and choice of words.

To learn more about implementing a de-escalation, judgmental use of force simulator in your department, please contact a VirTra specialist.

This article was inspired by content produced by the Force Science Institute. More information can be found on their website.

Law enforcement is a difficult job. Peace officers go to work knowing their time will be filled with mitigating harm, preventing crime and interacting with people with the best—and the worst—intentions.

So how are officers prepared for these situations? In academies, trainees are taught how to handle lethal and less lethal weapons, and just as important, communication strategies that include de-escalation. After all, the best outcome for any situation is for the situation to be de-escalated before something difficult or tragic happens, should the subject be willing to comply.

De-Escalation Training

VirTra is helping police training academies and agencies alike to practice their officer’s de-escalation skills with the judgmental use of force simulator. Each simulator is equipped with a wide range of real-life scenarios, each with an average of 85 branching options for in-depth, realistic de-escalation and use of force training.

For example, consider the scenario “Bridge Baby.” The premise is a student officer is on patrol and flagged down by a hysterical mother who says her husband took their baby and is threatening to harm the child.

This scenario forces the training officer to confront the father and the officer can verbally de-escalate the scenario. Depending on how the officer interacts with the subject on-screen, instructors can choose to have the subject provide more information, show extreme agitation or calmly cooperate.

There is power behind having de-escalation scenarios with dozens of realistic branching options. Trainees learn how to interpret a situation, talk with subjects, they respond back and de-escalate a situation in a safe, controlled environment.

Safer for Officers and the Community

De-escalated event is the safest option for law enforcement officers in the field and subjects who comply. Officers need to receive de-escalation training in the academy and should hone this skill often within the agency keep the tactics fresh in mind and can easily utilize them in the field.

For peace officers, the safety lies in knowing they can have influence over the situation and that the subject will may not lash out, run away or escalate the situation.

For subjects, complying with officers and allowing the situation to de-escalate increases their personal safety, as an officer will not have to resort to using Axon® TASER®, pepper spray or other force options.

Saves Money

Providing additional de-escalation training can save cities millions of dollars. Think about how much of your hard-earned tax revenue is spent on defending officers in court or settling lawsuits in regards to police accusation or wrongdoings. Litigation, settlement and insurance fees quickly add up.

One of the easiest ways to decrease this cost is to supply officers with proper, thorough training. Officers who are better trained to react appropriately to the situation—such as knowing the best de-escalation tactics—are far less likely to be involved in a lawsuit due to alleged wrongdoing.

Utilizing a judgmental use of force and de-escalation simulator makes these cost reductions possible. Keep trainees and seasoned officers up-to-date on de-escalation techniques and practice with VirTra. Learn how your department and city can benefit from these simulators by contacting a VirTra specialist.

Extensive De-Escalation Simulation Training

Agencies can effectively maximize their budget and de-escalation training with VirTra simulators. Each simulator is equipped with a wide variety of realistic scenarios, which have true-to-life branching options. Law Enforcement simulators also come with V-VICTA® —IADLEST-certified curriculum— for added training. Instructors can take this to the next level, because with VirTra, instructors have the ability to tailor training to their department’s needs.

Utilize 300-Degree Screens to Set the Scene

Before custom-creating a scenario, instructors need the best system. VirTra recommends the V-300®, the higher standard for decision-making. This simulator features five screens that cover 300-degrees for intense training immersion. The ability to see each side of the situation increases the officer’s ability to observe the situation and make better-informed decisions in a heightened-stress environment.

Invest in Quality Props to Increase Realism

While the 300-degree training simulator is an excellent beginning to creating realistic scenarios, the scene is not complete without props. Adding simple additions like chairs and tables to enhance the scenario improves the training content. After all, it is unlikely active threats will occur in open spaces without obstacles. Placing props throughout the training scenario allows participants to learn how to react and adapt to their surroundings in addition to providing them places to conceal and cover while evaluating threats.

Further Mimic a Real-Life Incident with Return Fire

To maximize your firearms training simulator, consider adding the V-Threat-Fire™. This consequence device simulates hostile actions—such as gunfire, explosions and dog attacks—adding real-world consequences to the training simulation. Combined with props such as walls and tables, trainees can learn where and when to shoot, if necessary. V-Threat-Fire is also instrumental in increasing stress responses and has been shown to result in better outcomes, thus maximizing training sessions.

Expect the Unexpected During Simulation Training

Law enforcement and military personnel learn to expect the unexpected. VirTra’s firearms training simulators help participants to react to “curveballs” with sound judgment, which instructors can manipulate through the scenario’s extensive branching options. These situational curveballs keep participants engaged and constantly adapting to the situation, from rookies to seasoned officers. VirTra’s simulators teach judgmental use of force through these decisions, helping the team learn as much as possible per session.

Create Custom Scenarios to Best Train Your Department

What makes VirTra stand out in the virtual training simulation industry are the endless options for custom scenarios. Instructors can use V-Author® to import a panoramic image of a local scene or select a pre-programmed environment. From there, a library of characters, props, visual effects and animated targets can be added with a click of the mouse.

For example, if an instructor wanted to train officers for threats in a specific neighborhood, they could take a picture of that location and overlay characters in V-Author®. Placing participants in areas they commonly patrol allows them to become familiar with the area and threats that may appear.

End Training with a Debrief

Once the training simulation has completed, learning continues in the form of debrief. Trainers can debrief participants with a rundown of the consequences of their actions, as well as statistics on the number of shots fired and firing stance. After engaging with the simulation and seeing the consequences unfold, law enforcement officers can tailor their responses to earn the best results in the future. Contact VirTra for more information on our system and how it helps train judgmental use of force.

Get De-Escalation Virtual Training for Your Force

Naturally, every police force and military unit wants their team to be effective. Leaders in law enforcement traditionally use lectures or videos to teach and prepare their teams. While these forms of instruction are suitable for disseminating knowledge, they are unable to showcase the real-life situations officers face on a daily basis. VirTra’s firearms and judgmental use of force training simulations better prepare any law enforcement department to make the right decisions under pressure—whether the circumstance calls for verbal de-escalation, less lethal or lethal force.

Defining the Effectiveness of a Police Force or Military Unit

What makes law enforcement “effective?” Is it defined by the number of criminals on the streets, the amount of traffic stops made per night or another metric entirely? VirTra believes that the most effective law enforcement officers are those who keep the public safe while minimizing harm. In this regard, effectiveness goes hand-in-hand with judgmental use of force. An officer who uses good judgment and decision-making in high-stress situations is the best trained officer.

Improved Ability to Make Effective Decisions

As mentioned above, quick and proper decision-making is critical in situations where emotions run high and the consequences are significant. As such, it becomes essential for law enforcement to train in stress-inducing environments to prepare for the field. VirTra presents the ideal training solution by placing officers and military personnel in situations where quick judgment is imperative and accessories like the V-Threat-Fire™ add real-life consequences. Moreover, these firearms simulations can help instructors identify weaknesses in an officer’s approach and work to correct any training scars.

Learning from Common Situations Before They Occur

Law enforcement agencies nationwide respond to common situations: EDPs, domestic disputes, and trespassing to name a few. Officers must train for the various ways these scenarios can play out, such as through VirTra’s simulator’s branching scenarios. Each scenario has multiple realistic branching options created by in-house Subject Matter Experts. Branching allows the situation to play out depending on the officer’s decisions. Through this technology, officers can enter any given scenario and test various de-escalation, less-lethal and lethal options to learn how to best solve a situation. Whether an officer is called on an everyday occurrence or a unique situation, they are prepared to respond with the best judgement.

Handling Difficult, Dangerous Situations

Training simulators are also an excellent option for teaching law enforcement how to effectively handle difficult situations. Officers may find themselves stuck between a rock and a hard place; a type of challenge that is becoming more common. Understanding how to properly navigate such circumstances is crucial, yet difficult to learn. VirTra’s judgmental use of force and de-escalation training places police and military in challenging situations. They allow them to evaluate and make decisions based on their observations. The result is a cadre that understands the nuances of a dangerous situation and can respond accordingly without unwarranted force.

Hands-On Experience Tops Training Lectures

Law enforcement can train with all the lectures and videos in the world, but an immersive scenario elicits a stronger response. VirTra’s simulators allow for police and military personnel to learn the most effective solutions to situations while minimizing risk. Training in this manner provides new recruits with hands-on experience in a low-risk, secure environment. These training simulators also give participants the freedom to make and learn from mistakes without the real-world consequences attached. Contact our product specialists to learn more about how VirTra’s training simulators can transform your department.

To learn more about simulation training, download our FREE e-book!

Many feel we are at a crossroads in law enforcement today. Police officers are in the national spotlight with increased scrutiny coming from the public, media, and even internal leadership over controversial use-of-force incidents.

Despite courts having recognized that police officers are often forced to make split-second judgments in rapidly evolving circumstances, the law enforcement community is also now forced to take a closer look of law enforcement tactics and judgment to resolve police-citizen encounters.

Issues in the Field

One example of how media scrutiny is putting law enforcement under a microscope is a  New York Times piece by Seth Stoughton, a professor at the University of South Carolina School of Law who is also a former police officer and state investigator. He wrote a commentary titled, “Police Shouldn’t Ask If a Shooting Is Justified, But If It’s Avoidable.” He remarked that when civilians evaluate a use-of-force incident, they want to know whether the officer could have done something—anything—else.

This national criticism on use of force has led to sweeping reform across the country in new statutes, changes to professional standards, and policy updates. Police departments across the nation are rethinking notions of policing that have held for 40 years. The results are major changes in how officers are being trained in use-of-force options, particularly de-escalation techniques.

Effective Change to the Status Quo

Basic de-escalation skills training should be designed to better equip police officers with knowledge and skills that may enable them to resolve a crisis situation with non-force options.

De-escalation has been an effective technique for a long time in law enforcement. While many officers are open to the concept of de-escalation, many others, new and veteran alike, approach de-escalation with a fair amount of skepticism. Many will tell you that concepts such as de-escalation sound great in theory but would never work on the streets.

Any renewed focus on any concept such as de-escalation that brings change to long-held practices cannot simply be taught in a classroom setting. It requires a new training methodology to involve the practical application of the concept.

So how do we introduce a new way of thinking to officers after years of training and experience? We immerse them in a realistic training environment to prove its effectiveness.

How to Get Officer Buy-In  

An effective training program will be able to give officers the experience in as close to real situations as possible, evaluate them, and provide a variety of different outcomes. But most importantly, it can show officers what works and what does not.

The training objective should be to have each officer immersed in different scenarios, so they have that split-second decision-making capability in a variety of situations that officers face.

One way to do this is through virtual simulator training that brings them closer to a real-life experience than anything else they have ever experienced. The value in integrated, immersive, de-escalation simulation training is in the opportunities it creates to allow officers to observe how de-escalation can work and the ramifications of each force option.

Answering this Training Challenge with Technology

As police administrators and trainers adapt to widespread changes in the law enforcement landscape, they need more effective options for bold and challenging adjustments to their training and standards.

VirTra’s V-300 training simulator has now made this straightforward and painless with state-of-the-art technology and real-life experience. This advanced technology allows officers to experience complex scenarios that adapt in real-time, responding to the officer’s actions. Throughout each scenario, the instructor can make adjustments to sharpen the officer’s decision making, situational awareness, and de-escalation skills.

Contact VirTra today to arrange a demo on how our technology can guide your agency towards positive change.

In 2016 alone, there were 708 police-related fatalities across the country. Though use of force is sometimes required to help save the lives of officers and civilians, there are many cases in which further training and better tactical skills may have prevented those deaths. Here are some of the ways in which VirTra use of force simulators could have reduced the number of lives lost.

Better Communication Skills

One of the biggest things any officer can do to deescalate a situation that could lead to the use of deadly force is to effectively communicate with the subject. Of course, simply talking to someone and telling him to “drop the weapon” is not always effective, so there must be a better way. VirTra use of force simulators are designed in such a way that officers learn how to communicate with and de-escalate subjects in a variety of ways. This way, officers have a better chance of de-escalating the situation through effective communication skills.

More Officer Awareness

Officers may use force when they are startled or when a situation seems to be beyond their control. Though many of these shootings are perfectly justified, there is some evidence to suggest that improved officer awareness could reduce the number of police-related fatalities. For example, if an officer is aware of his or her surroundings through appropriate focus of attention, it is far less likely that he or she will be startled enough to draw and fire a weapon. Simply staying aware of the situation can go a long way toward saving lives. VirTra’s numerous virtual police training scenarios are designed to help improve officers’ ability to assess and remain aware of any situation at any given time.

Tactical Advantage

In order to keep a situation under control, officers must be able to maintain the tactical advantage. In other words, police officers need to be one step ahead of suspects during altercations of any kind. For many officers, only experience can give them the ability to maintain the tactical advantage, and that is exactly what VirTra aims to provide. Through various customizable law enforcement scenarios, officers can learn (in a safe setting) how to best maintain control over the situation as a whole.

Virtual Experience

Finally, perhaps the best way to prevent questionable police-related fatalities is to better train officers in the first place. This training should provide plenty of experience and help officers better understand how they need to react in certain situations. Of course, officers cannot simply create a bank robbery or active shooter event just for the purpose of training, and simply reading about it or role-playing with fellow officers is not enough for them to truly grasp the gravity of the situation as it would unfold in the real world. VirTra provides this virtual experience that no amount of time in a classroom or at a firing range can offer.

As more and more police and law enforcement departments around the country begin to invest in VirTra’s use of force simulators, firearms and de-escalation training, it is expected that the number of unjustified police-related fatalities could decline. Experience is the key to keeping control over a situation, and that is precisely why VirTra was developed.

Thanks to the media – both social and otherwise – the use of force by the military and police is under more scrutiny than ever. Any use of force deemed unnecessary can result in costly lawsuits and a tarnished reputation, as well. Simulation technologies are vital for allowing police and military to experience various scenarios that could occur in real life, and that’s why VirTra with its Immersive Use of Force Simulator Technology is an investment you should consider.

Protecting Officers and Civilians

The unwarranted or unnecessary use of force is rarely due to misuse or abuse of power. Oftentimes, it is due to the misreading or misinterpreting of a situation. When officers and military officials can put themselves into virtual scenarios, including things like hostage situations, robberies, and even mass shootings, they can train themselves over time to respond more effectively with the goal of reducing loss of life. Things like reading body language carefully and being able to make accurate decisions under stress saves not only the officers’ lives, but often the lives of bystanders, as well. There is no training like realistic training, and with immersive simulators like VirTra, it is almost like the real thing.

Real-Life Reactions to Real-Life Situations

Though there are many simulators on the market today, VirTra works to create scenarios that are as realistic as possible. With a 300-degree immersive wrap-around screen to dozens of predesigned and customized scenarios, it is possible for offers to practice and learn how to react appropriately in these scenarios before they occur. There is even a firearms training mode in which officers can utilize weapons that mimic the real weapons they would use in the field, but all without the potential for lethality.

Upgrades to Meet Client and Market Changes

VirTra use of force simulator allows its clients to upgrade as their needs change. For example, clients may start out with a single or three-screen configuration to start, then later upgrade to the fully-immersive five-screen configuration that allows for one of the most realistic and challenging sets of scenarios in the industry. When officers can train in advance for some of the most difficult real-world situations through virtual simulation, they can learn to handle themselves appropriately should those situations occur in real life. Whether it is an ambush or an active shooter situation, VirTra does it all as realistically as possible.   As additional scenarios are created, VirTra makes those available to existing clients as well to give them the most up-to-date realistic training situations available.

Training to De-Escalate Through Non-Lethal Means

VirTra’s goal is to provide technology that allows it clients to enhance their sense of situational awareness. In turn, they can better understand when it is necessary to use force and when non-forceful de-escalation is possible. VirTra incorporates communication skills training, the use of Axon® TASER®, officer presence, and even the use of deadly force in its scenarios.

When officers go into the field each day more prepared than they were the day before, lives are saved. What’s more, fewer uses of force result means fewer lawsuits and investigations, which can save departments’ time and money. We believe VirTra is the most advanced and most immersive use of force simulation training platform available today, and an investment in VirTra is an investment in an advanced technology company set to deliver growth and enhanced officer and civilian safety.

For more information on investing with VirTra, please visit our Investor Hub.

Every day when law enforcement officials go to work, they are unsure of what might unfold. They may have a simple day filled with a few routine traffic stops, or they may find themselves in the middle of an active shooter situation in a local mall. While every officer hopes the latter never happens, preparedness and experience are key. While firearms training simulators do have some value, they lack the proper virtualized scenarios and de-escalation training officers truly need.

What is a Firearms Training Simulator?

A firearms training simulator is a bundle of software and equipment designed to teach police officers how to properly use their firearms without the inherent risks. For example, some firearms training simulators use real guns that have been modified to empty harmless rounds, and the officers simply fire at targets or objects on a screen rather than a target at an actual firing range. The goal is to allow officers to get more firearms training without the expenditure of ammunition, and without the inherent dangers that come from human error on the firing range. Though it is certainly helpful, it does not do enough to prepare officers for the dangers they may face on the job.

Firearms Training Simulation Benefits

Of course, there are many benefits associated with firearms training simulation.

• Officers can learn how their firearms will react when they are fired.
• Vests and other equipment can simulate an officer’s injury, which can help train that officer to think more quickly to avoid an undesirable outcome.
• Some firearms training simulators allow for scenarios, which provide even further preparation.
• Simulators allow officers to train around the clock, even during the night hours, with complete safety. There’s no need to worry about weather conditions as with outdoor firing ranges.

Simulated Firearms Training vs. Judgmental Use of Force Simulation

Though the benefits of firearms training simulation certainly do exist, these simulators alone can’t do enough to properly train officers. They cannot train officers to use their best judgment when it comes to using force appropriately, and they certainly cannot help officers de-escalate situations without the use of force. After all, that’s what a firearms training simulator is – learning how to use a firearm. Judgmental use of force simulation training takes this even further and presents officers with hundreds of scenarios (as well as scenarios users can create themselves) that can help them improve their judgement.

For example, whereas a firearms training simulator can help an officer learn how to hit a target moving toward or away from him or her, it cannot help that officer learn whether a situation can be de-escalated without any use of force at all. It cannot help an officer learn to use verbal and non-violent physical cues to determine the scope of the scenario, either. That’s why judgmental use of force training simulation is vital to any police department or law enforcement agency.

There is simply no denying the benefit of firearms training, whether it takes place at a firing range or via a high-tech simulator. However, these simulators cannot provide the same training as judgmental use of force simulations, which were designed to put officers into virtual situations they must assess before reacting. It is this sort of training that can inevitably save lives.

VirTra Interview with Dr. Paul O’Connell

VirTra works with a variety of consultants and academics in police and use of force training. Dr. Paul O’Connell is one of those experts. VirTra recently spoke with him about the history of use of force training, his experience in a VirTra V-300 system and his own personal training experience as a sworn officer in the New York City Police Department. This is the second in a two-part blog series.

What was your training like as an officer in the NYPD?

I was hired as a NYPD officer immediately out of college in 1981. I was one of 1,200 recruits hired that class, and I’d never held a handgun. I went through five months of training on how to load, clean, and fire a gun. Back then the goal was to get an officer to learn to use his/her gun – there was not a proficiency continuum, but just ‘get the lessons and go’. There wasn’t a degree of competence required, and continuing training wasn’t part of the program. NYPD did have their own version of “Hogan’s Alley”, where they could practice car stops and limited situational plays that the instructors acted out. The idea was great, but the execution was pretty weak. Not every recruit was run through the situational training because of cost and time constraints. Veteran officers were exposed to this training too, but like the recruits, often only observed the performance of their fellow officers.

When the NYPD began instituting situational training for seasoned officers, they encountered another issue entirely: it was like a play where all the officers knew the ending. The training was highly scripted, and once the first officers went through the training, they shared their experiences with their fellow officers, and word spread on “what to expect.” Officers could prepare themselves in advance before they went through it. So at the end of the day it wasn’t all that effective.

The only other training I had during my time in the force was twice-annual shoots, indoor and outdoor range training for proficiency, and some training with moving targets. Like all other agencies at that time, there was little to no interactive training offered. 

What did you think of the VirTra V-300 when you first experienced one of the scenarios?

I first saw a V-300 at the Henderson, NV Police Department, and I was absolutely astounded at how realistic it is – things changing instantaneously as the situation unfolded – it was easy to lose yourself in the training. It was totally immersive. When it was over and the lights went on, my palms were sweaty, my hearing was elevated, and I had no idea how many shots I fired. It’s pretty amazing – VirTra now allows law enforcement to accomplish what they’ve been trying to do for the last 30-40 years – immerse the student in a situation that makes them think they are no longer going through an exercise. It’s the real thing, and the decision tree can literally branch off into a hundred different directions based on the areas the trainer feels that the officer needs to focus on. The prior machine didn’t have these options. It’s the art of illusion!

What I’ve seen from the Henderson Police Department is remarkable as well – they have perfected the debrief. As someone goes through these scenarios they are not only building muscle memory, they are adding skills around critical thinking in how to react and respond mentally to these incredibly stressful, life-like situations. The training in Henderson is top-notch.

How do you see use of force training evolving today?

The word of the day is “de-escalation training.” Officers don’t need lectures – they need to get put into a VirTra machine and have the lights turned off to see how tactically sound their judgment is so that officers can better recognize and mentally process the opportunities for de-escalation. Just because an officer is authorized to shoot, it doesn’t mean they should – de-escalation is critical. VirTra technology provides this – an immersive experience that allows those undergoing the training to see, hear, and experience the sights, sounds and other external stimuli that they would in a real-world situation. The ability to debrief immediately afterwards is huge – “here’s what you did, and here is another possible response.” That’s why I think some of the more questionable shootings are occurring today – officers don’t have a training experience or proper preparation to fall back on.

An effective training scenario is one that involves putting an officer into a situation and having an ability to slow things down, ask questions and interact dynamically. Done over time, the scenarios will help trainees say to themselves “I’ve seen this before – here’s what I need to do,” so that these situations become second nature and automatic. De-escalation training is about slowing things down. This was not available in the 80s or 90s, and if officers are not going through this type of training today, they are putting themselves, their departments and the community at risk.

Training in the past has been minimal and we’ve not done enough – you can’t cross your fingers and hope your officers do the right thing. VirTra helps departments build and staff a force that has a skillset with better communication skills and sharpen de-escalation tactics that can potentially diffuse a situation before use of force happens. Every law enforcement agency needs to ask themselves one fundamental question: How good is the judgment of your officers, and how good are they at talking to people?

VirTra gives trainers an ability to “interject” in a trainee or recruit’s training in a myriad of ways to help their brain comprehend and digest situations as they are happening. No other use of force training technology can replicate this level of realism.

Training is not a luxury, training is an absolute necessity. Look at the number of multi-million dollar settlements that are putting a drain on already-strapped state and local governments. Tens of millions of dollars in liability for “bad shootings.” That is not sustainable. Remediation and debrief of a scenario needs a more prominent place in any type of interactive training. The majority of the learning that occurs is not during the scenario, but rather through its evaluation. Students must experience success if they are to integrate future successful behaviors. 

What steps can law enforcement leaders take to improve their training?

Police departments want to get better, but we need government and administrative support and funding. It’s going to require an up-front investment on their part – one that will pay dividends on the back-end in the form of better-trained officers who can respond more effectively and minimize risk for their departments and respective state or local governments. You can never eliminate risk, but you can actively manage and reduce it.

About Paul O’Connell, Ph.D., J.D.:

Dr. O’Connell is a leading expert on the development and application of performance-based management systems in public agencies, and has provided consulting services to government agencies in twenty-six states, including assessment of their existing policing policies and practices. He has been a full-time member of the Criminal Justice faculty at Iona College in New Rochelle, NY since 1994, and he is the former Associate Dean of the School of Arts and Science and former chair of Iona College’s Criminal Justice Department. Dr. O’Connell is an attorney and a Senior Public Safety Consultant with the Center for Public Safety Management. He began his professional career in criminal justice in 1981, serving the New York City Police Department (NYPD) first as a police officer, and then as a Police Academy instructor, in-service trainer and curriculum developer. He is also the author of “Performance-Based Management for Police Organizations,” (Waveland 2007), and “Police Performance Appraisals: A Comparative Perspective.” (CRC Press 2012).