During the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 budget cycle, the White Settlement Crime Control and Prevention District and City Council both approved the purchase of a virtual reality simulator to assist with police officer training. The simulator, APEX Officer, provides a turnkey solution that allows officers to be immersed into a realistic training environment as it relates to tactics, verbal de-escalation skills, and use of force. The training simulator consists of a virtual reality headset, a computer that runs the various scenarios, and realistic replica firearms and energy-conducted force options to include White Settlement Police Department’s Glock 45 MOS handgun, a standard carbine rifle, and Taser 7.
The software allows a training coordinator to put officers through an unlimited number of scenarios. As a 21st Century training platform, the APEX Officer system is very realistic and will assist officers in making good tactical decisions in the field. Two officers can enter the virtual environment simultaneously, while a training coordinator controls the actions of the virtual individual or suspect that the officer or officers are contacting. Immediately following each scenario, the training coordinator and officers can debrief their performance. The program also features a playback so officers can see exactly what their actions were, what the suspect’s actions consisted of, and any other relevant information to assist officers in the training environment.
“This is the most advanced simulator experience that I have encountered over my past three decades in policing,” said Christopher Cook, Chief of Police. “Our team wants to thank our City Manager, Crime Control and Prevention District, and City Council for approving this important training system that will elevate the realism of our training, ultimately leading to better communication and service to our community. Training is a core function that our team must continually undertake as the threat environments consistently change across our country.”
To learn more about the APEX Officer training system, click here: https://www.apexofficer.com