Taking Aim at Better Training

BY CAROLYN CRIST

Virtual weapons training at InVeris Training Solutions prepares military, law enforcement, and safety personnel for whatever comes their way.

WITH TROUBLING HEADLINES—school shootings, officer involved fatalities, and active shooter scenarios—demand is up for better ways to train safety personnel, teach de-escalation techniques, and ensure the best outcomes in high-pressure situations. Traditional training programs with classroom lectures and role-playing exercises don’t cut it. Fortunately, new virtual reality and augmented reality options provide hands-on, tactile experiences that get as close to a real-life encounter as possible.

Based in Suwanee in Gwinnett County, InVeris Training Solutions hopes to answer the call. The company hosts both live and virtual weapons training demonstrations at its headquarters, as well as at sites across the U.S. and in more than 50 countries worldwide. Several systems allow trainees to practice with simulated weapons that are similar to their own live models, rehearse common stressful scenarios, and even maneuver spaces modeled after the important locations they protect, such as schools and government buildings.

“Our tagline is Because Seconds Matter,” says InVeris CEO Clyde Tuggle. “Our job is to build systems to make the world a safer place and give military personnel and law enforcement officers the tools to make good decisions. “Many of the people who work for us and with us are veterans or former law enforcement, which is part of the real magic,” Tuggle continues. “They’ve been in uniform.

They’ve done this training. They know what does and doesn’t work and how to adapt the programs to create a better experience.”

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This week, we take time to honor and remember the brave men and women in law enforcement who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

National Police Week is a week-long observance honoring law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. This annual remembrance was established in 1962 by a joint resolution of Congress and centers around National Peace Officers Memorial Day on May 15.

Each year, thousands of law enforcement officers, survivors of fallen officers, and police supporters gather in Washington, D.C., for a series of events to honor those who have fallen. These events include the National Peace Officers Memorial Service, the Candlelight Vigil, and the National Law Enforcement Memorial Run. Seminars and receptions are also offered for law enforcement personnel.

As the leading supplier of integrated live fire and virtual weapons training for our nation’s law enforcement agencies, InVeris Training Solutions is proud to stand in solidarity with our law enforcement officers during National Police Week.

We recognize the sacrifices these officers make every day by placing themselves in harm’s way to protect our communities. Law enforcement officers work long hours, often in dangerous and challenging conditions. They are often the first responders to our most difficult moments, and they do their jobs with courage, dedication, and professionalism.

We also want to take this opportunity to emphasize the importance of public support for law enforcement. Community members can show our support by thanking officers for their service, by being respectful of their authority, and by working together to create safer communities.

InVeris stays committed to providing law enforcement agencies with the training and resources they need to keep our communities safe, and to keep their officers safe in the process. We are honored to observe National Police Week, to show our gratitude to those who serve, and to remember those who have given their lives in the line of duty.

According to a report from the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF), the average police officer in the U.S. receives 58 hours of firearms training during basic academy training and only 2.2 hours of training per year thereafter. While some officers may receive adequate training for improving marksmanship skills, others may not have access to sufficient training opportunities.

This is a wake-up call for all law enforcement agencies as marksmanship is a critical skill for law enforcement officers who carry firearms as part of their duties. However, traditional marksmanship training can be costly and time-consuming. It requires officers to travel to shooting ranges, use live ammunition, and work with trainers to improve their skills. The InVeris FATS 100C Marksmanship Training System can address these challenges by providing a cost-effective and convenient virtual, projection-based weapons-handling range system designed to help officers pass their required marksmanship certifications while eliminating the cost of live practice ammunition.

Adapt to Every Challenge

Law enforcement agencies have to contend with limited budgets for training and certification, which can restrict resources and make it difficult to provide comprehensive training programs. The InVeris FATS 100C provides a safe and cost-effective training environment for officers using virtual ammunition that enables officers to practice their marksmanship skills without the cost and logistical challenges. This can be especially beneficial for departments with limited budgets or those that are located in areas where outdoor ranges may be difficult to access.

Law enforcement officers are required to complete a basic training program that covers topics such as the use of force, defensive tactics, and firearms training, among others. The InVeris FATS 100C Marksmanship Training System provides a highly customizable training experience for officers, including a variety of scenarios that can be tailored to the specific needs of the department or the individual officer. For example, officers can work on marksmanship skills such as target identification and shooting accuracy.

Law enforcement agencies must ensure that all officers meet training and certification requirements and that records are adequately maintained to demonstrate compliance. The FATS 100C includes a range of metrics and analytics tools that can help officers and departments track their progress and identify areas for improvement. InVeris’ patented Automatic Coaching analyzes shooting results/sensors to highlight potentially poor shooting habits. It combines weapon sensor and shot results data to highlight trainee errors, which are then immediately displayed with links to corrective video clips and integrated training manuals to demonstrate the proper firing techniques. The system can provide real-time feedback on factors such as shooting accuracy, reaction times, and decision-making, allowing officers to track their performance and identify areas for improvement.

Lastly, law enforcement officers may have demanding schedules and limited time for training and certification. This can make it difficult to schedule training sessions and provide enough time for officers to fully develop their skills. The FATS 100C is easy to transport, set up, and use for practicing required weapon skills almost anywhere.

All things considered, the FATS 100C offers a potent and adaptable tool for enhancing marksmanship abilities among police officers and for meeting certification standards. The technology can assist officers in acquiring the crucial skills they need to carry out their jobs safely and successfully by offering a safe and affordable training environment, as well as highly customized scenarios and real-time feedback. Departments can offer a well-rounded training program that helps officers learn the skills they need to execute their duties safely and successfully by combining the advantages of virtual training with traditional training methods.

Three Keys to an Effective Training System

The InVeris FATS 100C Marksmanship Training System is a valuable tool in law enforcement training and certification for several reasons. The keys to effective training include realism, meaningful feedback, and repetition enabled by range availability and a convenient location.

Realism: The FATS 100C Training System offers a high level of realism in its virtual training environment. The system uses advanced simulation technology that provides officers with a realistic and immersive experience that replicates the effects of firing a weapon, including recoil. The system also includes a high-resolution projection screen that displays a virtual training environment that accurately replicates indoor and outdoor environments, lighting conditions, and different scenarios.

Meaningful feedback: The FATS 100C provides officers with meaningful feedback on their performance in real time. The system tracks a variety of metrics and analytics, such as shooting accuracy and reaction times to provide officers with immediate feedback on their performance. This feedback allows officers to identify areas for improvement and adjust their marksmanship skills accordingly. The system also generates detailed reports on each officer’s performance, which can be reviewed and analyzed by trainers or supervisors to identify areas for improvement at an individual or departmental level.

Repetition: The FATS 100C allows officers to practice their marksmanship skills repeatedly, allowing them to develop muscle memory and reflexes that will help them perform more effectively under stress. The system comes with state-specific courseware so that they can practice for upcoming certification tests. It also includes a variety of scenarios that can be customized to meet the specific needs of the department or the individual officer, thereby allowing officers to improve their skills and develop confidence in their abilities, which can be critical in real-life situations.

Using the InVeris FATS 100C Marksmanship Training System, law enforcement agencies can provide their officers with high-quality, realistic training to help them perform their duties more effectively and safely. This can help officers achieve and maintain their training and certification requirements. For more information on how you can effectively prepare your officers for their regular training certifications, check out the FATS 100C data sheet or schedule a free demo.

De-escalation is an essential skill for law enforcement officers who work in high-pressure situations. The ability to de-escalate a situation can be the deciding factor between a safe and peaceful outcome or a potentially hazardous and even fatal one. However, teaching de-escalation is challenging and cannot be fully accomplished through traditional classroom lectures and actor-based exercises alone. Agency trainers and trainees must find new and innovative ways to address these challenges.

One innovative solution for de-escalation training is the SURVIVR Virtual Reality Training System developed by InVeris Training Solutions. This next-generation technology provides a groundbreaking approach to de-escalation training.

The Need for Advanced De-escalation Training

In recent years, there has been a discernible shift in the approach to policing in the United States, with a greater emphasis on de-escalation training as a strategy to limit the use of force by law enforcement officers.

Studies have shown that de-escalation training can improve officer safety and reduce the likelihood of injuries to officers and civilians. By teaching officers how to communicate effectively, manage emotions, and use non-violent tactics, de-escalation training can help to minimize the need for physical force and reduce the risk of harm to all involved parties.

Moreover, many law enforcement agencies have recognized the cost savings associated with de-escalation training, as it can help avoid expensive lawsuits and settlements resulting from excessive use of force. By investing in de-escalation training, agencies can also help build trust and positive relationships with the communities they serve, leading to improved public safety outcomes.

Leverage Next-gen Technology Solutions for De-escalation Training

Regardless of the de-escalation training method used, the ultimate aim is to provide law enforcement officers with the necessary skills to handle challenging situations without resorting to using force whenever possible. This requires a training approach that is dynamic, effective, and realistic.

Next-generation technology solutions can be instrumental in achieving these goals, particularly in scenario-based exercises. These solutions can provide an immersive and realistic environment that accurately simulates the stress and pressure of real-world situations. For instance, virtual reality (VR) technology allows officers to practice in a safe and controlled environment, where they can experience a range of scenarios and receive immediate feedback on their responses.

Another example of next-gen technology solutions is the use of simulation software that enables trainers to customize training scenarios to meet the specific needs of their officers. This software can adjust the difficulty level of scenarios to match the skill level of each officer, making the training more effective and challenging. Furthermore, the software can be used to track progress and identify areas where additional training may be required.

These next-generation technology solutions offer a game-changing approach to de-escalation training by providing officers with a more realistic and immersive learning experience. This can help to enhance their skills and build their confidence in handling challenging situations, while also reducing the need for the use of force.

Essentially, virtual reality training programs offer more interactive and engaging training experiences while giving officers a safe and supervised environment to hone their skills for in-person situations and meet the ever-changing requirements and expectations of law enforcement training programs.

Safely Train and Rehearse De-escalation of Force Scenarios With SURVIVR

SURVIVR Training System from InVeris Training Solutions is an innovative training technology that employs virtual reality (VR) to provide vital, real-world preparation for de-escalation of force situations. It provides a 3D environment for virtual reality officer training, scenario authoring, and simulated weapons.

Officers train in fully immersive environments that put them in action by utilizing top-of-the-line VR headsets with impressive 360-degree capabilities and weapons tracking. The ability to perform any scenario and interact with various environments and characters gives trainees as many training repetitions as they need using a system that’s available 24/7.

The SURVIVR Training System excels in de-escalation situations for several reasons.

  1. Realistic scenario library with branching outcomes

    The SURVIVR system offers realistic simulation experiences of the highest caliber, giving officers a taste of what to expect on the field. Officers can use this to hone their decision-making abilities and strategies for calming down tense situations. SURVIVR immerses trainees in a variety of situations that may require de-escalation techniques—including a traffic stop, a domestic disturbance, or an active shooter situation.

  2. Customizable and scalable scenarios

    The SURVIVR system is adaptable, enabling trainers to design and modify training scenarios and curricula to suit the particular requirements of their organization. It entails developing de-escalation situations specific to the community and the kind of law enforcement the agency supports.

  3. Real-world training, anytime

    The SURVIVR system’s sophisticated performance tracking and reporting features offer in-depth perceptions of an officer’s actions and choices throughout a simulation. It renders a virtual avatar for each trainee’s body so trainees can realistically interact with each other in multi-user experiences. SURVIVR also makes it easier for trainers to pinpoint the areas where officers need to improve and give them feedback and specialized training to assist them in enhancing their de-escalation techniques.

  4. Safe Environment

    Finally, the SURVIVR system’s ease of integration with existing equipment and infrastructure helps to create a seamless and efficient training experience. The use of virtual reality technology in de-escalation training is crucial, as it allows officers to practice their skills in a safe and controlled environment, helping to prepare them for real-life situations.

In conclusion, using the SURVIVR virtual reality training system offers an innovative and effective approach to de-escalation training for law enforcement officers. The system provides a safe and controlled environment for officers to practice de-escalation skills in a range of challenging scenarios while also offering immediate feedback and progress-tracking capabilities.

The benefits of de-escalation training cannot be overstated, particularly in today’s climate, where there is a growing need for law enforcement to engage with communities in a peaceful and non-confrontational manner. With the SURVIVR system, officers can gain the skills and confidence needed to manage difficult situations without resorting to the use of force.

If you are a law enforcement agency looking to enhance your de-escalation training program, consider investing in the SURVIVR virtual reality training system. By providing a safe and immersive learning environment, this technology can help your officers develop the necessary skills and confidence to manage difficult situations without resorting to the use of force.

For more information on how you can revolutionize your de-escalation training and encourage safer and more efficient policing practices, download the SURVIVR data sheet or schedule a free demo.

According to Brigadier General Charles Lombardo, deputy commanding general of the U.S. Combined Arms Center-Training, “efficiency starts with improving training management” — and we agree. Now that conflicts can happen at any moment and place, you need to arm military officers with training solutions that allow them to be nimbler and more flexible.

So aside from training officers using conventional methods and strategies, trainers must also be able to provide training to the point-of-need regardless of time and place.

Enable Realistic Live Fire Training Wherever, Whenever With Road Range™

InVeris’ Road Range™ is a self-contained mobile firearms training facility that integrates live fire and virtual simulation capabilities to provide a total weapons training solution in a transportable environment. The system is customizable for many applications, including a crime lab, simulation range and advanced training, and can be configured using multiple trailers.

Road Range™ is a three-lane shooting range built inside an over-the-road 53-ft. trailer that is USDOT certified for use on all unrestricted roads. The ballistically secure trailer range is equipped with systems and components and houses all the premium InVeris equipment and brands — including GranTrap™ bullet traps, XWT Target Retrieval System, RangeMaster™, and FATS® products.

Here is why the InVeris Road Range™ is the best mobile training solution for your troop.

Conclusion

Simulation and training technologies provide militaries with more opportunities to hone their skills and rehearse multiple times with minimal setup needed. InVeris’ Road Range™ Mobile Range allows you to maximize the benefits of these technologies by providing them in a mobile environment. With Road Range™, your troop can train at the point of need regardless of time and place.

You can learn more about Road Range™ by downloading this datasheet. Or feel free to reach out to us if you want to explore all our virtual and live fire training solutions for the military.

These are challenging times to be in law enforcement, which makes it even more important for those who are ultimately responsible for their welfare — their trainers, supervisors, and chiefs — to ensure that they are fully equipped with the right R.I.G.

We’re not talking about their physical rig like body armor, sidearms, and comm devices, however. When we say RIG, we’re referring to (R)eflexes, (I)nstincts, and (G)ood Judgment.

How do we give our officers the right Reflexes, Instincts, and Good Judgment in the midst of high-stress situations?

How do we ensure that our officers are equipped with all the mental tools they need to respond to high stress situations that elicit the “fight or flight” response first described by psychologist Walter Cannon in the 1920s — when their adrenaline is pumping, their pupils are dilating, and their hearts are racing?

How do we give them the right reflexes, instincts, and good judgment?

The answer, as trite as it might sound, is: Training.

In a landmark 2021 study titled A Reasonable Officer: Examining the Relationships Among Stress, Training, and Performance in a Highly Realistic Lethal Force Scenario, researchers from Carleton University in Canada revealed that, in extremely stressful scenarios, multiple aspects of police performance are impaired including shooting accuracy, quality of skill execution, proportionality of force applied, and memory.

But here’s the catch: According to the researchers, “stress response also appears to have differential effects, whereby rehearsed and automated skills are influenced to a lesser degree.” This is a fancy way of saying that the more officers have trained (rehearsed), and the more automated (instinctive, reflexive) their skills, then the less their performance degrades, including  the proportionality of force (good judgment) they apply in high-stress situations.

Scenario-based training: The best law enforcement training for high-stress situations

The researchers go on to cite a wide range of training techniques that can improve performance even under high-stress, including spaced practice, providing the appropriate feedback, and scenario-based training.

Scenario-based training (SBT) is particularly effective, since it can gradually “inoculate” officers by exposing them to simulated high stress situations, so that their skills and performance become “stress-resilient.”

Multiple studies, including The effect of stress inoculation training on anxiety and performance, by Saunders, et al., (1996), and Pressure training for performance domains: a meta-analysis, by Low, et al., (2021) have shown that SBT measurably improves performance under high stress.

Are you providing scenario-based training for your officers?

Given the challenges law enforcement faces on a daily basis, and especially in those rare, high-stress situations, we owe it to them to make sure that they are equipped with the right RIG.

The only way we can do that is to have them rehearse their responses, reactions, techniques, and tactics in simulated scenarios repeatedly and deliberately, until they become part of their inner mental toolbox.

Contact us if you would like to learn more about InVeris Training Solutions’ full lineup of live fire, simulation, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR) training systems for law enforcement, military and commercial shooting range applications.

By now, most are familiar with virtual reality (VR), but augmented reality (AR) may be a bit of a mystery. However, most people have interacted with augmented reality and probably never knew. Many applications on our phones use augmented reality, like navigation apps, social media apps and photo filters. These applications are a mere glimpse of augmented reality’s true capabilities, and the results of using AR in military training are nothing short of jaw-dropping. 

What is AR?

Akin to its cousin VR, AR uses a wireless head-mounted display with one significant difference, AR headsets are transparent. Augmented reality is a technology that superimposes a computer-generated image on a user’s view of the real world. In a training environment, the instructor can place digital assets such as hostile forces, hostages or bystanders in the trainee’s field of view. This cutting-edge technology enables the military to create shoot houses on the fly anywhere in the world. 

How is AR used in military training?

Augmented reality’s ability to quickly spawn a shoot house enables the military to train for breeching and clearing hostile locations effectively. The shift from live actors and simunition weapons to simulated subjects and weapons allows trainers to create a training environment in soft targets in minutes without damage to those locations. The possibilities are nearly endless—everything from basic shoot house training to active shooter and even mission rehearsal are within AR’s reach. 

To begin, trainers scan the environment using a tablet to map the location for the simulated training. In this step, the tablet can pick up a detailed environment layout and even note objects like furniture and decorations. Once this step is complete, the trainers can add digital assets to the location. For example, trainers may use an office building and superimpose hostile actors, hostages and bystanders for the trainees to move through and clear. The trainers can strategically place these actors in various locations to solicit different actions and responses from the clearing team for a comprehensive training experience. 

After the trainees have cleared the environment, the augmented reality simulator has recorded their movements and biometrics to create a powerful after-action review (AAR). It is important to note that the AAR for the current methods could take hours to generate in a traditional shoot house and entirely relies upon the trainers to catch mistakes. An augmented reality simulator can create an AAR in seconds and provides a multitude of data for trainers to assess and correct their trainees. 

In summary, augmented reality will revolutionize how the military trains and prepares their troops for mission readiness. To learn more about augmented reality and InVeris Training Solutions, read more about our new product, SRCE. 

Police One showcases shooting range equipment and simulation training systems by InVeris.

The second in a series on how VR and AR are enhancing learning when it’s needed.

Within the past few years, VR and AR have steadily moved from early adopters towards the mainstream. Though not applicable for all situations, e.g., traditional simulation and live fire still have a prominent place for group training, the new technologies have arrived at an opportune moment. There is a strong call for revisiting, increasing and improving law enforcement training. With its immersive capacity, VR and AR appear to be game changers in preparing trainees for unexpected threats.

The technology alone, however, cannot ensure well-trained professionals. A comprehensive curriculum must integrate vivid and apt scenarios. This content must evolve side by side with the technical advances, which are rapidly becoming available.

The hour has come for VR and AR

In mid-January, a digital consultant for Aufait, an Indian SharePoint Development Company, posted a list of upcoming “law enforcement tech trends” on Legal Reader, a U.S.-based legal news and commentary aggregate site. The author cited virtual and augmented reality training among the top technologies, along with the Internet of Things, Body-worn cameras, drones, Artificial Intelligence and 5G connectivity[1]:

The author noted that “the realism and flexibility of VR training make it the best training law enforcement trainees can get.” By simulating real-life situations using goggles and headsets, virtual reality police training improves efficiency as well as cognitive response.

The posting added a further application: “Virtual reality methods can also be used to train officers for providing appropriate medical assistance, better connecting police and community … especially in the light of the recent hostility towards officers.”

Matching heightened realism with the right scenarios

Law enforcement, with its split-second judgments, has always been a physical, mental and emotional challenge, but 2020 with COVID-19 and community unrest made it more complicated. Professionals now find themselves under a glaring spotlight for their actions. The Supreme Court decision that removed second-guessing and Monday-morning quarterbacking is being questioned. The law enforcement officer more than ever requires confidence to approach issues like use of force and handling of people in crisis. Not surprisingly, almost everyone agrees that improved training must be a part of the solution. But what constitutes an improvement?

In 2018, two academicians at the University of Copenhagen, Lasse Jensen and Flemming Konradsen, identified situations where VR’s head-mounted displays (wireless headsets) are the most useful for skills acquisition.[2] After their review of 21 experimental studies, they determined that VR seemed to improve learning in three areas:

  1. Cognitive skills related to remembering and understanding spatial and visual information and knowledge.
  2. Psychomotor skills related to head-movement, such as visual scanning or observational skills.
  3. Affective skills related to controlling your emotional response to stressful or difficult situations.

Each of these areas are pertinent to law enforcement skills. VR and AR, with their three-dimensional sensory inputs, provide unprecedented realism for memorable learning. Even though the actual training space may be a small room, officers can respond to calls in a vivid environment, duplicating actual conditions they are likely to encounter.

Of course, the technological effects can only be as instructive as the courseware. Scenarios drawn from authentic events, adjudicated with a clear legal result, can have long-term implications for an officer’s career and the community. That is why choosing the right VR and AR vendor is so critical: as in any educational hardware advance, software is the component that makes it meaningful.

Choosing VR content that fits your training program

For 3D VR to reach its training potential, it must have content that matches the capabilities of proven successful simulation systems. It should have a comprehensive, video content library for all applications: From use-of-force de-escalation to active shooter to person-in-crisis response. These scenarios should have branched outcomes, where officer response modifies the flow of events.  Most important, all content should be created in conjunction with users, e.g., law enforcement, first responders, and correctional and military police partners.

Because of constant changes in what officers confront, your vendor needs to release new content on a regular basis. Ideally, the system itself should also let you author specific customized scenarios to place the trainee in specific environments, such as the following:

InVeris’s VR based on unparalleled law enforcement simulation

Building immersive systems thus involves more than adapting an innovative technology. With 35 years of experience in simulation hardware and software, InVeris Training Solutions understands the rigors of writing and producing courseware that hundreds of agencies use each day. If you have a demand for a geographic setting or training circumstance, it is likely that InVeris has either an available scenario or one that can be readily modified.

The trainee can consequently benefit from the most advanced technology, accompanied by the latest law enforcement scenarios.

To explore virtual reality for your agency and how it might meet your training needs, please contact info@inveristraining.com

[1] For the full story, see “Law Enforcement Tech Trends to Watch Out for in the Future,” an article by “Prejmith”, a digital consultant for Aufait, an Indian Sharepoint Development Company and Microsoft Gold Partner, posted on Legal Reader at : https://www.legalreader.com/5-law-enforcement-tech-trends-to-watch-out-for-in-future

[2] See Jensen, Lasse, and Flemming Konradsen. “A Review of the Use of Virtual Reality Head-Mounted Displays in Education and Training.” Education and Information Technologies, vol. 23, no. 4, July 2018, pp. 1515–29. Springer Link, doi:10.1007/s10639-017-9676-0. The study is quoted in Ffiske, T. P., The Immersive Reality Revolution: How virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR) will revolutionise [sic] the world (2020). Ffiske runs Virtual Perceptions, a UK-based website highlighting trends in Immersive Reality (VR, AR, MR).

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De-escalation training, more than ever, is consequential for law enforcement. This comes in the wake of recent controversial incidents that highlight officer use of force that were met with adverse public reaction.

Increasing public backlash and the pressing desire to reduce risks for officers and citizens alike have inevitably led law enforcement to reassess their roles.

Training and Job Reality Mismatch

There is a clear mismatch between how law enforcement officers are trained versus the actual demands of their job. This is where the fundamental issue with law enforcement training lies. We train our officers for a role that is not clearly proportional to the one society expects them to play.

A survey conducted by the Police Executive Research Forum revealed that for every one hour of training allocated to teaching and practicing de-escalation techniques, there were eight hours of training allocated to learning about using some type of force. Recruits are trained in academies whose training philosophies are anchored on the deployment of force and law, and are always equipped with dangerous weapons. Training then should be restructured to incorporate an increased focus on conflict de-escalation and crisis intervention.

When Trainees Lack the Gift of Gab

Law enforcement officers are given the difficult and often dangerous job to resolve or de-escalate tense and hostile situations. In many circumstances they regularly face, the right words, spoken in the right manner, can either calm a situation or at least earn compliance. This is where one’s verbal communication skills come into play. Unfortunately, not all of them are equipped with the ability to articulate their thoughts effectively and confidently.

However, it is important to note that one’s communication skills are not the be-all and end-all of the de-escalation process. When needed, physical action is also an essential part of de-escalation.

Training Recruits for the Reality

As new recruits spend a bulk of their time cultivating their firearm proficiency and combative skills, they sometimes don’t develop sufficient verbal de-escalation skills that are critical in resolving conflicts in actual crises. Hence, continued education is a must.

Training solutions like virtual simulators place trainees in an immersive environment that increases realism of training, heightening awareness and proper use of force responses. Virtual simulators that have de-escalation scenarios, where officers must “talk down” a potentially violent suspect could greatly enhance new recruits’ verbal de-escalation skills. By simulating different situations, going through the necessary steps, and getting objective feedback on their performance, they will be more prepared to deal with extremely stressful scenarios in the future.

InVeris’ VR-DT Virtual Training System, for example, brings the power of virtual reality police training, scenario authoring, and simulated weapons to a 3D environment. It offers a realistic scenario library, with branching outcomes — from offices to schools, jails, traffic stops and domestics. The VR video content offers all applications, from use-of-force, de-escalation or active shooter, to person-in-crisis response.

With its enhanced capabilities like Push to Talk (PPT) technology, it allows trainees to engage in a conversation with the suspect, role-played by the instructor. Depending on the trainee’s actions, the instructor can branch the scenarios to escalate or de-escalate the situation. It’s After Action Review (AAR) enables instructors to review their decision-making skills to ensure proper tactics are used from any angle.

Contact us to learn more about InVeris’ Virtual Training Systems and how they can meet your training requirements.

 

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