Essex Police using virtual reality to train their officers - WPTZ

The Essex, Vermont, Police Department has a caller grooming instrumentality astatine its disposal — the Apex Officer Virtual Reality system, a astir $100,000 investment. This exertion allows them to recreate scenarios they've encountered successful the existent world."It offers much grooming opportunities," says Robert Kissinger, an Essex constabulary officer. "As budgets get tighter, this allows america to bash everything in-house."Officers tin beryllium placed virtually successful 100 antithetic locations — ranging from schools, businesses, bars and connected the street."What we privation to forestall is an serviceman going done the aforesaid script twice," says Essex Police Chief Ron Hoague. "We privation to support things caller for them."It besides serves a antithetic intent than the erstwhile grooming systems they've tried."In the past, the systems we've had disposable to us, they've been much focused connected grooming an serviceman successful what an due level of unit is," says Hoague.The absorption present is connected de-escalating situations done conversation."A large woody of our scenarios really bash not extremity successful usage of force," shares Hoague.The VR strategy volition beryllium a instrumentality accessible to Essex officers whenever they please.It's casual to spot however the in-house reps tin pb to palmy results erstwhile it truly matters most."A much assured serviceman is simply a amended serviceman connected the street. They marque amended and quicker decisions," according to Hoague.