home Security HLS UHD Simulators to Revolutionize Law Enforcement Training

UHD Simulators to Revolutionize Law Enforcement Training

Nov 10, 2019

Photo illust. US Air Force — CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Clovis, N.M. police officer Sgt. Robert Denny holds his position with weapon drawn during joint training with 27th Special Operations Security Forces Squadron Airmen on Dec. 12. The two law enforcement organizations worked together during house entry and clearing training on empty houses here that are awaiting demolition. (Air Force photo by Airman Erik Cardenas)

This post is also available in: עברית (Hebrew)

Real-world performance is often directly correlated to the realism and intensity of use of force training. The more realistic the training exercise, the more skills are transferable to a real-world situation.

The US Department of Homeland Security aims at improving the use-of-force decision making process of basic academy level recruits. The Department’s Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC), the largest provider of law enforcement training in the US, has ordered ultra high-definition (UHD) 4K-resolution simulators from VirTra.

FLETC’s federal partner organizations deliver training unique to their missions, while FLETC provides training in areas common to all law enforcement officers, such as firearms, driving, tactics, investigations, and legal training.

FLETC will be the first agency to receive VirTra’s new UHD simulators. The new simulators utilize 4K resolution projectors and more accurately reproduce objects, visual details, body language and non-verbal threat cues. These enhancements enable officers to train to recognize and appropriately respond to subtle nuances in human behavior and movement that were imperceptible with previous technology.

The technology and actors recreate the real-world in the simulator training exercises, providing features such as realistic 3D audio and special effects, realistic recoil training firearms, and shoot back capabilities, according to the company website.

The company will also deliver training content, which includes scenarios related to use-of-force, dog encounters, elderly populations and special needs persons, just to name a few.

FLETC intends to utilize the simulators and new content for its use-of-force Judgmental Pistol Shoot (JPS) Program at its training academies in Glynco, GA and Artesia, NM. The JPS program is specifically designed to improve the use-of-force decision making process of basic academy level recruits, according to globenewswire.com.

“FLETC is a well-respected organization that trains thousands of officers each year, and we’re pleased to add them to our long list of federal clients,” said Jason Mulcahy, the company’s General Manager. “In addition to increasing the number of officers who will have access to our systems and training content, this order also indicates that there is immediate demand in the marketplace for next generation, ultra-high-definition simulators. We look forward to providing FLETC with cutting-edge training for essential law enforcement skills to help them properly prepare officers for the challenging situations they may face at any moment.”