policeone roundtable: using simulators in law enforcement
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5/23/13 PoliceOne Roundtable: Using simulators in law enforcement training (part two)
www.policeone.com/police-products/training/simulator/articles/6236858-PoliceOne-Roundtable-Using-simulators-in-law-enforcement-training-part-two/ 1/3
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Meet the Experts
Chuck Deakins is Public SafetySpecialist for FAAC. Deakins is aretired officer from Santa Ana(Calif.) whose knowledge ofsimulator training strategies,tactics, and techniques, has led tohis success in all applications of
simulation instruction.
James Peters is the LawEnforcement Subject MatterExpert and Trainer for VirTraSystems. Peters is a retired officerfrom an Arizona Law EnforcementAgency. He had a distinguishedcareer in Patrol, Street Crimes,
SWAT, and holds numerous trainingcertifications.
Rob McCue is General Managerfor IES Interactive Training. McCuehas been in the simulation andtraining industry since 1990. Priorto that, he served as a weaponsand tactics instructor as an NCOwith the U.S. Army’s elite 1st
Ranger Battalion.
Jimmie McCoy is Manager ofCourseware Development for
Meggitt Training Systems
IES Interactive Training
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Home > Police Products > Training Simulators > PoliceOne Roundtable: Using simulators in law enforcement training (part two)
May 23, 2013 Email Print Comment RSS
10-43: Be Advised...with Doug Wyllie, PoliceOne Editor in Chief
PoliceOne Roundtable: Using simulators in lawenforcement training (part two)We connected with four of the top industry experts in the area of policesimulators, and got their thoughts on the challenges, solutions, and futureprospects for this continually-developing technology
We know that computer-based training simulators — when properly integrated into a complete
curriculum of use-of-force/live-fire and behind-the-wheel EVOC training — have tremendous benefits for
officer safety.
We recently connected with four of the top industry experts in the area of police simulators — Chuck
Deakins, James Peters, Rob McCue, and Jimmie McCoy — to get their thoughts on the challenges,
solutions, and future prospects for this continually-developing technology.
In part one of this two-part series, we discussed the biggest issues facing police agencies that simulators
can solve, as well as the key things departments need to consider when buying simulators. Here we’ll
investigate mistakes that departments sometimes make during the testing and evaluation process, as
well as some of our experts’ suggested best practices for using training simulators.
What mistakes do departments make during
the testing and evaluation process?
Chuck Deakins: Agencies don’t always commit
sufficient resources to conduct proper research of
the systems including manufacturer site visits,
service availability, hardware replacement, and
warranty programs.
It is critical to compare “apples to apples” and thinklong-term on this one.
James Peters: A major mistake is when they don’tdo a complete testing and evaluation process. Youwouldn’t buy a new patrol vehicle, switch to a newhandgun or purchase new body armor without everputting your hands on the product. The same shouldapply to your department's simulator purchase.
Robert McCue: Often, we see bids and evaluationsthat place the highest emphasis on minor technologyspecifications and requirements that do not add tothe overall training capability of the system. Forinstance, agencies will require a firm bidspecification on a projector to be 3,000 lumensminimum and a contrast ratio of 10000:1, and failingto start with asking, “Can this system we areevaluating actually help us with relative to ourtraining goals?”
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5/23/13 PoliceOne Roundtable: Using simulators in law enforcement training (part two)
www.policeone.com/police-products/training/simulator/articles/6236858-PoliceOne-Roundtable-Using-simulators-in-law-enforcement-training-part-two/ 2/3
Courseware Development forMeggitt Training Systems. McCoyleads a team of dedicatedprofessionals producing simulationtraining courseware intended tosave the lives of officers and
innocent bystanders.
The hardware specifications are important, buthaving a high-contrast projector system means verylittle if the system you get doesn’t include anyrealistic less-lethal options, or a detailed after-actionreview capability for trainee skills improvement. Lastly, avoid evaluating a simulator as a cure-all or areplacement for current training issues — adiminished supply of training ammo, for example. The systems are not designed to replace traditionalforms of training like regular live-fire exercises, but simply as another tool that instructors can use toaugment and increase training capabilities and output.
Jimmie McCoy:By not realizing that the simulator is a tool, it is not the training instructor. Too oftendepartments look at the simulator as a game, and view the scenario on the screen — watch the movie —rather than realize the ability of the training officer to develop interactive lesson plans designed tochallenge and test the officers’ decision making capabilities as well as their knowledge, skills and abilities. Most participants will start a judgmental exercise with their weapon drawn regardless of the situation.This is a result of the “gaming mentality” and peer pressure that comes from co -workers looking onduring the evaluation. During the evaluation, participants should emulate the same behavior that isdisplayed during an actual encounter.
What are some of your suggested best practices for using training simulators?Chuck Deakins: Without a doubt, use adult-learning concepts with practical application exercises.Instructors need to stop talking and start training. Officers learn best when they participate in ‘hands-on’training. Simulators are very hands-on.
James Peters: As a trainer, you should not believe a box exists. Research done by Force Sciencesuggests that unless we train/test under stress, we are not preparing our officers to make better criticaluse of force decisions in dynamic situations.
Besides quality content, the other way to increase stress is through the use of a shoot-back device. Twomain shoot-back devices exist: the shoot-back cannon and the Threat-Fire electronic impulse device. Ibelieve the Threat-Fire electronic impulse device to be the best based on ease-of-use, less down timewith cleanup, less potential for an accident, and no need for eye protection allowing trainees “to train likethey play”.
Another thing departments have to remember is that life does not happen in a 60-degree field of viewdirectly in front of you. Even on a live-fire square range, where you focus and shoot only downrange forsafety reasons, we tell our trainees to scan their 360 after they complete a course of fire.
Having said that, if your department can only afford a single-screen simulator, additional “things” likepeople, props, and threats will be needed. A recent Force Science article suggested that unless propsand other assets are used in conjunction with single screen simulators, officer’s heart rates never reallyincrease enough to force a critical use-of-force decision in a stressful situation.
Robert McCue: Instructors always set the tone. If they take simulator training seriously, and have a wellthought-out lesson plan supported by examples of required performance standards in the simulator, thetrainees will take it seriously, too, and learn and retain more.
Also it’s important to have the trainees in full uniform when they are in the simulator when possible —duty belts, gloves, helmets, body armor — whatever they typically wear on standard duty or specializedmissions.
Lastly, safety is important. Ensure that all department safety rules are adhered to before and duringsimulator training — live firearms are to be cleared and secured, and firearms safety and awarenessrules are to be used with simulator weapons. This will ensure that the simulator training sessions areengaging and intense, and will result in better-trained and more-confident officers on the street.
Jimmie McCoy: A virtual marksmanship and judgmental firearms trainer is a tool, so to use it effectivelytraining objectives need to be developed. Lesson plans that effectively integrate scenarios, weapons, andtactics must be developed.
And you have to have regular use of the system. The benefit of a marksmanship and judgmental traineris access — so officers should use the system often to maintain fundamental marksmanship skills.
Finally, ensure your officers leave the simulator training session with a positive attitude, as they will carrythis with them into the field.
About the author
Doug Wyllie is Editor in Chief of PoliceOne, responsible for setting the editorial direction of the website andmanaging the planned editorial features by our roster of expert writers. In addition to his editorial andmanagerial responsibilit ies, Doug has authored more than 650 feature articles and tactical tips on a widerange of topics and trends that affect the law enforcement community. Doug is a member of InternationalLaw Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association (ILEETA), and an Associate Member of the CaliforniaPeace Officers' Association. He is also a member of the Public Safety Writers Association, and is a two-time(2011 and 2012) Western Publishing Association "Maggie Award" Finalist in the category of Best RegularlyFeatured Digital Edition Column. Even in his "spare" time, he is active in his support for the law enforcementcommunity, contributing his time and talents toward police-related charitable events as well as participatingin force-on-force training, search-and-rescue training, and other scenario-based training designed to preparecops for the fight they face every day on the street.
Read more articles by PoliceOne Editor in Chief Doug Wyllie by clicking here.
Contact Doug Wyllie
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5/23/13 PoliceOne Roundtable: Using simulators in law enforcement training (part two)
www.policeone.com/police-products/training/simulator/articles/6236858-PoliceOne-Roundtable-Using-simulators-in-law-enforcement-training-part-two/ 3/3
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