Posted on Jun. 6, 2023 by Niki Nelson

VirTra’s use-of-force simulators have a vast number of scenarios covering everything from de-escalation to active threats. The scope broadens even more when the number of branching options is considered, allowing multiple ways to reach a resolution. With an average of 85 branching options per scenario, no single event is guaranteed to go a certain way – just like in the field, where  unpredictability is part of the job.

The Instructor Takes the Lead on Scenarios

Instructors can drive a scenario in any direction based on the student’s interaction with the on-screen character. VirTra’s branching features allow for instructors to manipulate the evolution to achieve any manner of training objective. The objective could be based upon policy, best practices, or vital training like de-escalation. Trainers can reward good behavior by having an aggressive character become compliant because proper de-escalation techniques were used. On the other hand, students who are not performing well can be encouraged to step up their game.

Usually, departmental policy dictates what skillset trainees will be developing during recurrent training. With our branching options, instructors can accomplish departmental training objectives by running each trainee through the same scenario, however using our branching function the scenario can play out differently based on individual performance. If the same scenario with the same pathway to resolution is run multiple times, students learn to “game” the system and recall what happens next. Giving an instructor to change things up prevents trainees from becoming complacent.

Branching Scenarios

An example of a VirTra scenario is “Midnight Madness,” where the officer is responding to an active threat in a theater. They chase an armed male suspect after navigating the theater and seeing injured victims. In the end, what will the suspect do? Will he give up or will he begin to fire his weapon? Will the trainee fire back in time or be hit by gunfire? What if an innocent person pops out and startles the trainee, causing them to fire their weapon? Each action has different consequences – just like in reality.

Another scenario called “Teacher’s Pet” features a broad array of branching options. The image below shows only a portion of the available options.

As VirTra aims to create a realistic experience during training, the content must not be brushed over. Screens and hardware may be impressive, but what the trainee gets out of the experience could save lives.

For more information about VirTra’s intense and effective simulator training options, contact a product specialist.