California Police Enhance Training with VR

The Lodi Police Department in California is enhancing its training capabilities with the implementation of virtual reality (VR) technology, through a collaboration with Apex Officer and HTC VIVE. This new initiative aims to provide officers with a more immersive and realistic training experience, preparing them for the unpredictable nature of law enforcement.

Traditionally, the Lodi Police Department utilized video-based systems for training, which involved scripted scenarios displayed on flat screens. While beneficial, this method had limitations, such as a lack of depth and an inability to address current, real-time issues effectively.

Apex Officer has trained 22,000 officers for over 80,000 hours.

CEO and co-founder Chase Dittmer, said: “As the variety and type of threats to law enforcement and citizens alike continue to grow, many police departments are looking towards innovative technology to better train their personnel in a safe and cost-effective manner. Unlike competing judgmental use of force simulators, Apex Officer provides a truly immersive, fully integrated, and real experience.”

Apex Officer's VR simulations offer nearly 2 million possible outcomes, according to the company, covering scenarios such as: CPR and first aid, mental illness, crowd control, missing persons, crisis intervention, domestic violence, gang awareness, traffic accident investigation, and high-risk entries.

To use Apex Officer, the Lodi Police Department uses the VIVE Pro, which delivers the aspects necessary for the simulations. The platform includes sensor-equipped weaponry, such as tasers, pistols, rifles, and tactical shotguns, providing officers with realistic training tools that replicate the weight and feel of their actual equipment.

Through the combined efforts of Apex Officer and HTC VIVE, the Lodi Police Department now offers robust training that boosts officers' confidence and preparedness. The platform's situational training feature allows for the creation of timely scenarios that reflect current community events, ensuring officers are well-prepared for specific incidents.