Experiential Simulation Targets Law Enforcement Training Latest Simulation Technology Promotes De-Escalation Protocols

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The origins of simulation principles date back to at least the mid-1800s with Sir Charles Wheatstone and his stereopsis description of depth perception and 3-dimensional structures, maybe further. Since then, simulation technology has evolved through the years boosted by emerging technology and its necessity.

Simulation is used in many contexts, including performance tuning or optimizing, safety engineering, testing, training, education, and video games. Simulation models are also used in computer experiments and scientific modeling of natural systems or human systems to gain insight into function and behavior. Simulation can be used to show the eventual real effects of alternative conditions and courses of action.

Significant developments in simulation include acquiring information from expert resources used to create an environment of relevant characteristics and behaviors, simplifying approximations and assumptions within the simulation, and fidelity and validity of the simulation outcomes.

Many, if not all, of the simulation characteristics mentioned above, are front and center in the latest simulation technology offered by VirTra, a leader in simulation-based training for the armed forces and law enforcement agencies. VirTra employs immersive, science-based training simulations designed to teach various cognitive and psycho-motor skills ranging from de-escalation, judgmental use-of-force, and situational awareness.

As a top tier entertainment simulation company working with theme parks and entertainment centers in the 1990s, VirTra completely shifted its focus to offer simulation-based police and military training after the events of 9/11. The treasure trove of experience it had in highly realistic immersive virtual reality products was then leveraged to help America’s first responders and warfighters.

“Simulation in military training was years behind what the technology was offering,” said Bob Ferris, CEO, VirTra. “The need for effective simulation training inspired not only our shift in using simulation to train military but was the impetus that alerted agencies to engage in simulation training curriculums at a higher frequency and with the best available technology.”

The simulation used by the military at the time wasn’t realistic enough to make a significant impact. According to Ferris, previous iterations of computer-generated imagery (CGI) lacked realism in human character features and reactions, which caused ineffective training content because the poor special effects made the simulation feel more like a video game. VirTra began addressing the long list of shortcomings in available simulation technology, and what they created has become a leader in science-based simulation-based training technologies the world over.

Simulation Training Leads with Police Force De-Escalation Practices

Today, the topic of police use-of-force and de-escalation practices used by American law enforcement agencies is a major topic of conversation. There is mounting public and government pressure for law enforcement agencies to re-think and re-train how a law enforcement officers approach dangerous situations with a focus on reducing violence and the number of deaths.

Use-of-force tactics are under a microscope, including when (or if) force should be applied and how much. Others advocate for more vigorous training in de-escalation techniques to reduce the number of lives being lost and to protect both the public and the officers who place their lives on the line every day to uphold a sworn oath to protect and serve our communities.

VirTra’s simulation technology strikes the right balance and can go a long way in shifting the needle toward how a law enforcement officer engages with dangerous situations while maintaining the best possible standards and outcomes of safety.

What is important to understand is that being involved in any type of confrontation can be a highly stressful situation that all components of training aim to address. Ferris explained that the best course we can take is to provide certified, curriculum-based training – the most advanced simulation training models to address the physical, emotional, psychological, and human cognitive response mechanisms that occur when entering dangerous, unpredictable confrontations and situations. De-escalation is the goal, but to achieve this from a foundational, metaphysical level, our law enforcement officers must have more experience (either virtual or real) in the type of situations that promote professional growth. The safest way to accomplish this end goal is through the right simulation training modules, added Ferris.

Simulation Training Enhances Psychological and Cognitive Learning; Introduces Real-time Accountability

To create a simulation with immediate and consequential actions to decision-making, VirTra targeted not only the creation of high-risk situations but built-in consequences to create a psychological effect. This approach trains the cognitive processes of split-second decision-making to favor de-escalation tactics as the first line of action and defense.

One of the most effective components missing from previous simulation training was facing consequence and accountability in poor decision-making. The VirTra simulation program addresses this directly.

“We created a Threat-Fire device, which can emit a short, electric pulse shock that is safe, but strong enough to cause a visceral reaction to pain and to trigger the brain in recognizing the negative reaction associated with a mistake made during training. The inclusion of this sensory component transformed the simulation process and increased the overall training curriculum’s effectiveness,” added Ferris. “This allows us to train at a fundamental, biologically human level with a high efficiency of learning without hurting the trainee. Whereas mistakes in the field can be tragically final.”

As instances of police brutality and use-of-force incidents on citizens became more widely reported, community leaders looked for ways to improve policing, reduce use-of-force tactics through training, and increase de-escalation measures. VirTra’s simulation technology offers the most up-to-date, comprehensive, science-based simulation training that includes all three of these significant targets.

The first fully immersive multi-screen simulator that emulated the pressures and life-threatening situations faced by law enforcement every day was launched in 2004 and has evolved with the latest technology in simulation. The reality re-recreation approach involved the use of live actors in the roles of both victims and suspects. Several companies came forth to offer live simulation events with real actors to move away from poorly constructed CGI simulation. This approach proved effective, but the use of live actors was cost-prohibitive, time-consuming, and not sustainable for the repetition of required long-term training programs.

This is where VirTra surged onto the scene by combining the latest technologies of simulation and replaced CGI-generated characters and environments by filming live actors in various situations, such as an active shooter event or approaching a hostile, armed suspect and inserting within the simulation technology.

The interesting aspect of the live actor approach is that VirTra consulted with veteran experts while developing the simulation technology. Law enforcement, social services, mental health physicians, psychologists, physiatrists, and leaders in autism were enlisted to help the actors display various elements of body language and emotional states that may indicate a mental health issue at the foundation of a criminal act.

Ferris points out that the reasoning behind this level of detail and outside expertise for developing the full training curriculum is to focus on the human elements. The overall goal is to prepare law enforcement for life-threatening situations with the primary purpose of safely de-escalating potentially dangerous situations. Managing people at their very worse requires considerable skills, practiced through repetitions.

“The experts we consult with provided very specific behavioral and responsive pattern pathways that we use to re-film the same actors in the same situation but displaying a different set of indicators and responses for maximum effect,” Ferris said. “The purpose of our simulation technology is to create certain pathways within the same situation that are triggered by how a law enforcement officer approaches a situation.”

VirTra costs as little as $1,000 per month and Ferris said that many federal law enforcement agencies are already using the programs.