How Wilkesboro Police Officers Use VR for Training

The Wilkesboro Police Department has implemented a new virtual reality training program for officers to enhance their de-escalation techniques. The officers have shared that the scenarios in the virtual reality equipment are much more realistic than they had anticipated.

Unlike traditional training methods, which may require officers to use live weapons or put themselves in potentially dangerous situations, VR training allows officers to make mistakes and learn from them without any real-world consequences.

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Apex Officer Provides North Carolina Police Officers with New Training Technology

The virtual reality equipment was acquired from Apex Officer, a company that specializes in virtual reality police training and law enforcement training simulators, using a grant from the DOJ's community policing development program. After extensive review and research on training simulators, Wilkesboro Police Department chose the Apex Officer VR training simulator as a key component of their training program. The officers are dropped into a virtual space and an operator sets the scenario for them to train in, which can range from house calls to active shooter situations.

The Wilkesboro Police Officers are able to move around and interact with their environment, including people, which allows them to practice communication and de-escalation skills in a safe and controlled environment. The department believes this training will help build the confidence of officers, which is essential for achieving the best outcomes possible. All officers are expected to go through the training in the upcoming months.

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Wilkesboro Police Are Using Virtual Reality to Train in De-escalation

As reported in a recent news segment by WXII 12, "Officers say the scenarios are much more realistic than they expected, and experienced officers like Rocky Moore say that realism makes a huge difference. "You feel a lot more comfortable doing it," he says. "And it's not staged; It's more realistic, it's more believable."

Officer Moore says he was most surprised at the simulation's attention to detail. "I mean, this man I'm looking at is blinking back at me," he says. "He's talking to me. He's breathing. It adds a level that you can't get talking to a cinderblock wall."

"Now we can come in at any time that these guys are available," says Moore. "We can come in and work on that skill and hone it anytime during the shift."

"In this profession that we're in, one-on-one communication is key," he says. "God gave you the best tool you'll ever put on your uniform, and that's your mouth.

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North Carolina Police Officers are Utilizing VR for Training

North Carolina police departments are turning to new training techniques to help prepare officers. Apex Officer allows North Carolina police officers the ability to train and prepare for real-world scenarios in a safe and controlled training environment. Apex Officer is a solution that prepares police officers to react, train, and become better prepared to handle high-risk situations.

Furthermore, VR technology is becoming more affordable and accessible, making it a cost-effective solution for police departments. Instead of having to pay for expensive and time-consuming training exercises, officers can simply use VR headsets to experience simulations at their own pace and convenience.

VR also allows for easy and more accurate assessment of training results. The system can record and monitor the trainee's actions and decisions, providing detailed feedback on their performance, allowing for more efficient and effective training.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, virtual reality is a powerful tool for police training and law enforcement agencies like Wilkesboro Police Department are benefiting from it. It allows officers to experience realistic simulations of real-world situations in a safe and controlled environment, practice skills in a risk-free environment, and it provides an easy and accurate assessment of training results. VR technology is becoming more affordable and accessible, making it a cost-effective solution for police departments. With the help of this technology, officers can be better prepared to face the challenges of their job and keep their communities safe.