“Virtual simulation” used to be a phrase that conjured up images of science-fiction in my mind—it was something that existed in the movies, but not in real life, right?
How wrong I was. Virtual simulation technology exists today in various forms and products. In the law enforcement industry, specifically, virtual simulation technology has been progressing rapidly in the last 15 years to the point where law enforcement officers can actually train in a virtually simulated environment with tools similar to what they use on the street. But I wanted to see this technology for myself, so when I recently got the opportunity to tour one of the premier virtual simulation manufacturing companies in the country, I jumped at the chance. As I traveled to the headquarters of Meggitt Training Systems in Suwanee, Ga., I wondered: How effective could these training systems be? How realistic were the scenarios? Was it going to be anything like I was imaging?
But I’m getting ahead of myself.
A rich history
Before delving into virtual training, let me touch on some of the background. In 2003 Meggitt Training Systems acquired live-fire innovator Caswell International Corp., which introduced the industry’s first wireless range control device and first moving target system. Three years later the company made a strategic investment by acquiring Firearms Training Systems, Inc. (FATS), which originally introduced wireless BlueFire firearms simulators. In 2008 the company combined Caswell and FATS to create Meggitt Training Systems to provide an integrated live-fire and simulation training offering.
Producing products for both law enforcement and the military, Meggitt today offers virtual military and law enforcement small arms trainers, 300/180 degree immersive training systems, armored fighting vehicle trainers and more. In the live-fire segment, the company offers live-fire shoot houses, a mobile indoor fire range, range design and installation and more. To put it in the words of Meggitt’s CEO Jeff Murphy, “Realistic training is what we focus on.”
A closer look
One thing that really caught my attention during our tour was the integration of their BlueFire weapons in virtual training. BlueFire weapons allow law enforcement to train with a weapon very similar to ‘the real thing’. In fact, the company keeps the BlueFire weapons within 10 percent weight of the live-fire weapon. More than 300 different types/variants of weapons exist and they communicate via Bluetooth. Plus, they can’t ever be converted back to a live-fire weapon, which leaves officers with some peace of mind.
For law enforcement specifically, Meggitt offers virtual simulation packages regardless of agency size. The FATS 100P portable training system comes in a ruggedized case that can be used for transporting the system from location to location with ease. The FATS 300LE system provides a 300 degree training environment, surrounding the user in an immersive experience.
Both systems, I was surprised to see, focus on judgmental and marksmanship training, with realistic training scenarios that can be altered by the instructor to give the student a different experience each time. When they were showing us the FATS 300LE system, we got to watch as the user showed up on the scene of a school shooting. The user verbally interacted with the screen and the instructor was able to change the outcomes of the scenario each time, ensuring that the student could never predict what would happen. After the example, the instructor was able to show us where the officer’s shots landed as well as where his weapon was pointed during the entire encounter.
Once in the experience myself, the system felt immersive. I wasn’t in a manufacturing facility…no, I was actually outside, speaking with a disgruntled employee. Once the simulation was over, I felt like I had to be pulled out of it, almost like when a movie ends you come back to reality. The experience got my heart rate up and I acknowledged my own insecurities in the scenario. I had no idea how the situation was going to play out and in that moment I got only a taste of what LEOs go through every day, but in reality. This, I believe, is why many agencies today offer the change for local political leaders and community members to try out these virtual simulation systems. They can’t show a civilian exactly what LEOs go through but they can give them an idea of the quick-actions and judgmental training required of the position.
So why virtual simulation?
During our tour we had the opportunity to sit down with several law enforcement officers to get their take on virtual simulation training. Officer Doug Day is part of a 61-officer department at the Fairfield Police Department in Ohio. His agency rented a virtual simulation system for years until it purchased its own in 2017. “We run the system every three months for officers,” he noted. “It’s okay to make a mistake in the simulator, but not in real-life.” He hit on a point that makes these simulators invaluable: They allow officers to make mistakes that can then be corrected, whether it’s the need to work on de-escalation techniques or firearms handling. On the streets, there are no re-dos.
Despite the advantages of virtual simulation training, it’s not the be-all solution for law enforcement. It will never replace other training, especially live-fire training; it’s simply another tool in the law enforcement toolbox. As Officer Richard Pope, Suwanee PD (Ga.) noted, “Try to find the funds to do [virtual training]. Once you see the value, it becomes a valuable tool.”
Adrienne Zimmer | Editor
Adrienne Zimmer was the Editor of Law Enforcement Technology magazine, a monthly business-to-business publication that covers technology trends and best practices for public safety managers from 2017 to 2019. LET is part of Officer Media Group, which also publishes Law Enforcement Product News and Officer.com. Adrienne has been in publishing since 2013.
