Police officers train in virtual reality
Police departments across the country are turning to virtual reality training to help officers make quick decisions in complex and potentially dangerous situations.
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AURORA, CO – Police departments across the country are turning to virtual reality training to help officers make split-second decisions in complex and sometimes dangerous situations.
According to technology company Axon and more than 1,500 police agencies across the U.S., the goal is to help officers respond quickly and safely to any call. Canada we now use Axon's virtual reality training program to achieve this.
Recruits from the Aurora Police Department in Colorado are among those being trained to use the technology.
“You're really on stage, moving around, just feeling everything,” said newcomer Jose Vazquez Duran.
Police departments across the United States and Canada are increasingly adopting virtual reality training programs to better prepare officers for real-life, complex situations. (Kennedy Hayes/FOX News)
Fellow recruiter Tyler Frick described it as “Almost like… a 3D movie. Except that’s exactly what we’re going to do when we graduate from the academy.”
The Aurora Police Department uses Axon virtual reality software to train recruits for scenarios including de-escalation, Taser use and other high-stress interactions.
“It’s filmed with live actors reenacting the scripts. And we have a lot of content there covering a wide range of topics, from mental health to people suffering from drug overdoses or experiencing domestic violence,” said Thi Luu, vice president and general manager of Axon Virtual Reality.
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In Aurora, Colorado, police recruits are training using virtual reality to prepare for real-life scenarios including de-escalation, Taser use and other high-stress interactions. (Kennedy Hayes/FOX News)
The Aurora Police Department used virtual reality training three year program. Officials say the technology is becoming more advanced and easier to use, which helps free up other resources.
“It really helps my staff, the training staff, when we might have, you know, 10 or 15 recruits going through the same scenario at the same time. This means we get the most out of our training hours, and having well-trained, well-rounded officers is really important,” said Aurora Police Sgt. Faith Goodrich.
Axon said that artificial intelligence in its newest training program can regulate the behavior of virtual suspects, making them friendly, aggressive or something in between. They may answer questions, talk back, or even refuse to cooperate, just like in real life.
Each session is unique depending on how the officers handle the situation.
Police recruits interact with virtual reality to hone their skills. (Kennedy Hayes/FOX News)
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PwC research shows that virtual reality can accelerate officer training and increase confidence in using new skills compared to classroom-trained peers.
According to the study, VR students showed four times faster learning speed and a 275% increase in self-confidence when applying learned skills compared to their classroom counterparts.
