Need to check temperature? Use a thermometer. Need to measure human performance as it applied to police practice? Use VirTra.
VirTra’s value as a training tool is a given. Military and law enforcement agencies worldwide rely on our simulators for consistent, high-quality training. But in the past year, our team has been thrilled to see an exciting new use case:
Research!
Increasingly, scientists looking to measure use-of-force performance under stress turn to VirTra.
VirTra Certified as a Research Tool
Last year, Ohio University tested the V-100 Single Screen Simulator to determine if it could meet the demands of Department of Defense-funded research. The study tracked 30 adults, including those with police or military experience, over three shooting sessions. Researchers evaluated the participants on 21 different shooting metrics, using the simulator’s real-time analytics to capture the data.
The result? Ohio State University found that the simulator accurately captured all 21 variables with a high-reliability score. These findings confirmed that the system’s simulated ballistics met the requirements and exceeded expectations. Ohio State concluded that the simulator was well-suited to demanding research applications. Read the full study here.
The V-100’s newfound academic credentials made it a logical choice for further use of force research. Lon Bartel, Grand Canyon University Doctoral student, with the support of Force Science decided to use it to shed light on a longstanding question about police use of force:
How long does it take an person to stop shooting when presented with new information?
To explore this, the team created a scenario within the V-100 that displayed a target. When the target turned green, participants had to shoot as fast and accurately as possible but stop immediately when it turned red. The system then measured how many shots were fired after the stop signal, tracking reaction time delays.
This research led to some surprising findings. On average, the 109 participants fired an additional two rounds after the target turned red, with the first unintended shot occurring 0.16 seconds after the signal changed. In the most ideal of conditions, the majority of participants fired 2 or more rounds after the stop signal. Where previous research conducted in this area looked at police officer performance, this study used participants and Cumberland University. Illuminating that officers and civilians alike take time to stop shooting once started. Read the full study here.
Conclusion
The results of these studies reinforce VirTra’s reliability in high-stakes research. By providing accurate, real-time performance metrics, the V-100 has proven to be a critical tool for both training and scientific inquiry. As researchers continue to investigate decision-making, reaction times, and use-of-force dynamics, VirTra’s role in shaping the future of tactical training and law enforcement policy will only grow.
Although advanced, the V-100 is within reach of most police departments. Agencies of all sizes can leverage this trusted training tool using grants. Download the VirTra grant guide for easy-to-follow steps on how to apply for simulator grants.
On December 13, 2023, a VirTra V-100® public safety training simulator was presented to Atoka Police Department in Tennessee. Atoka PD was selected amongst hundreds of nationwide submissions during the Taskforce Santa project sponsored by VirTra and IADLEST, which provides a deserving law enforcement agency with a simulator they could not obtain otherwise. This simulator will assist Atoka PD and nearby small Tipton County agencies with various training initiatives, including de-escalation, mental health, active shooters, and crisis interventions.
The event that took place after the system’s installation was attended by dozens of people to include Atoka city staff, police officers, and local media. Attendees heard speeches from Police Chief Anthony Rudolph, Atoka Mayor Barry Akin, and VirTra CEO John Givens before viewing a demonstration of de-escalation and mental illness training scenarios.
“This is a monumental step forward in our commitment to excellence in law enforcement training and community engagement,” said Anthony Rudolph, Chief of Atoka Police Department. “The V-100 simulator is not just a tool; it is a catalyst for positive change in how we approach policing in our community.”
The V-100 simulator is a portable single-screen training device designed to replicate real-life situations and encounters. It comes with less-lethal tools, training pistols, and a vast library of scenarios that all accurately mimic the encounters officers and civilians go through and allows for learning, engaging, communications and after-action debriefs.
There were more than 100 applicants from across the country who hoped to receive a training simulator free of charge. The common theme among each of their stories is a lack of resources that prevented them from being able to purchase one themselves. Applicants and nominees cited a strong desire to elevate their training but were not financially able to do so for various reasons.
Atoka Mayor Barry Akin views his town of Atoka and its officers in a positive light and views the emphasis on training as a historic event for the city stating, “You take a top-notch company with a great product and a top-notch town like Atoka – you’ve got a great partnership.”
CEO John Givens echoed these sentiments, hoping the gift will enhance the town’s safety: “In the true spirit of Christmas, we hope this gift will keep this community and its great officers safer than they are today through realistic training.”
The story brought to VirTra by Atoka PD in their nomination form was moving and heartwarming. They had a clear desire to better their agency and community and listed three great reasons for desiring the technology:
- Community engagement and education
- Enhancing officer safety and wellness
- Mutual aid/collaboration with other small agencies
Hearing the story of what VirTra and IADLEST were providing to Atoka PD, the shipping company Pilot delivered the simulator all the way from Chandler, Arizona, to Atoka, Tennessee at no cost.
VirTra staff are thrilled to have provided the solution that officers of Atoka PD can use as a better training tool to improve their skills and keep their community safe. In the spirit of Christmas and giving, seeing an agency like Atoka PD able to further succeed through the Taskforce Santa gift has brought a smile to many faces.
To read IADLEST’s press release about this award, click here.