Portage police launch virtual reality training - WOODTV.com

by: Rachel Van Gilder

Posted: Dec 13, 2022 / 04:28 PM EST

Updated: Dec 13, 2022 / 04:28 PM EST

PORTAGE, Mich. (WOOD) — Portage constabulary are present grooming utilizing virtual reality.

Described arsenic “innovative,” “realistic and immersive,” the Apex Officer strategy allows officers to usage existent guns and instrumentality modified specifically for the VR training, the Portage Department of Public Safety said.

The grooming officers volition acquisition includes however to respond to an progressive shooter, arsenic good arsenic acquisition successful de-escalation and situation intervention.

“The flexibility that Apex Officer provides volition alteration america to create, successful a harmless VR environment, situations that officers volition look successful existent life,” Portage DPS Training Sgt. Michael Collier said successful a statement.

With grooming sessions that past arsenic small arsenic 15 minutes, officers tin usage the strategy often — arsenic often arsenic each shift, if they person time, the section said.

“In a clip erstwhile instrumentality enforcement officers are receiving much scrutiny than ever owed to high-profile incidents of constabulary usage of force, we looked astatine however we could reimagine our grooming programme to amended hole officers for those types of conditions,” Portage DPS Director Nicholas Armold stated.