Virtual reality improves training at the Tulsa Police Department. VR Training involves officers wearing VR headsets that simulate various scenarios.
Officer Ben Brandt said, “It allows us to recreate scenarios really fast. It helps us save time.”
“With virtual reality, all we have to do is hit a reset button, and we can just start another iteration,” the officer continued.
How does VR training for Tulsa police work?
The TPD’s Mingo Valley division started VR training for officers a month ago. It involves trainees wearing a set of VR goggles, headphones, and a mock gun.
The gadgets simulate various police scenarios, such as traffic stops and active shooter situations, so that officers can practice communication and de-escalation.
Meanwhile, another officer controls the scenarios to provide different types of training.
For example, 2 News Oklahoma reported Tulsa Police conducted VR training that involved a man going through a mental health crisis. Also, Officer Ben Brandt explained how it works.
“I can hit the button, and when I talk, this guy’s mouth moves,” he said. An officer could control characters in virtual scenarios so that he could simulate suspect behaviors.
For example, let us say the VR scene involves a traffic stop. The controller could speak like a reluctant DUI driver so that the trainee could practice handling such people.
Officer McGlynn elaborated on VR training versatility, saying, “It’s the same call notes, and it’s the same situation, but it all evolves differently.”
Brandt continued, “We’ve got probably 25 different environments that we can use, and inside those environments.…”
“…we can set up any number of situations from domestic abuse, hostage rescue, active shooter, to car stop situations or DUI,” the officer added.
Also, Officer Cameron Roy underwent VR Training, and he said it is more versatile and convenient than setting up conventional training sessions.
Officer Roy noted that it cannot replace “real-life scenario role players training.” However, he said it could speed up the learning process:
“If you’ve got 30 minutes, it’s unbeatable because in 30 minutes we can go through 10 or 15 repetitions on the device.…”
“…that would take us at least three hours to set up in real-life role-playing scenarios.”
Conclusion
VR training will not replace real-life simulations for the Tulsa Police Department. Yet, it would likely facilitate practice for its officers.
The Philippines is also expanding the implementation of virtual reality. For example, the crypto exchange Coins.ph launched a VR Avatar Studio for Filipino online influencers.
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