Cincinnati Police Academy Unveils VR Training Simulator

Cincinnati Police Academy unveils their new VR training simulator.

Cincinnati Police Academy has unveiled their new VR training simulator, which allows officers to train in simulated scenarios that closely resemble actual incidents. The simulator is designed to help officers develop crisis intervention techniques and de-escalation tactics.

Cincinnati Police Academy utilizes Apex Officer's VR training system to train officers for de-escalation, use of force and crisis intervention scenarios.

Apex Officer, the leading provider of VR training simulators for law enforcement, military, and first responders has announced that Cincinnati Police Academy has installed the Apex Officer virtual reality training simulator.

The Cincinnati Police Department is an award-winning, nationally-recognized law enforcement agency that uses evidence-based policing, intelligence-driven strategies, community involvement and technology to make Cincinnati one of the safest cities in Ohio. Cincinnati Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency for the City of Cincinnati and provides a full range of police services to 52 diverse neighborhoods.  The Department currently maintains approximately 1000 sworn officers and 125 civilian employees.

Apex Officer is a modern training tool which allows Cincinnati Police Academy to transform the way they train their police officers. The simulator is a virtual reality training system where police officers are able to get hands on training without having to use force.

Cincinnati Police Academy Training Simulator

With the national focus on de-escalation and improving police training, the Cincinnati Police Department and Cincinnati Police Academy saw an opportunity to better prepare its officers with training equipment designed to improve decision making in high-pressure situations. After significant research on the various training options, the Cincinnati Police Academy chose to include the Apex Officer judgmental use of force simulator as a significant component of its training program.

With the help of a generous donation by the Cincinnati Blue Line Foundation and Hatton Foundation, Cincinnati Police Academy is leading the way in progressive police training policies in the state of Ohio. Following Cincinnati Police Academy's lead VR technology is now being used to train officers throughout the state of Ohio by K-12 criminal justice programs, law enforcement academies, and much more.

Cincinnati Police Academy Instructor Training Using the Apex Officer VR Simulator
Cincinnati Police Academy Instructor Training Using the Apex Officer VR Simulator.

The Apex Officer content library is based on real-life incidents and is professionally produced with content that is carefully vetted by subject matter experts to rigorously test critical thinking skills, firearms skills under pressure, and psychological responses to the stresses of life-like situations.

VR Training for Police and Law Enforcement Academies

"Apex Officer is a game-changer for police and law enforcement training academies and is transforming the face of law enforcement," said Chase Dittmer, President of Apex Officer. "Outdated technology is preventing law enforcement agencies across the country from training effectively. The Apex Officer training platform was designed in the field with law enforcement, for law enforcement to save time, money and, most importantly, save the lives of law enforcement officers and the civilians they have sworn to protect. We want to help protect the people that protect us."

Cincinnati Police Academy Instructors Operating the Apex Officer Simulator
Cincinnati Police Academy Instructors Operating the Apex Officer Simulator.

“Our main focus has always been safety. We want everyone to come home to their families safely. I grew up in a law enforcement family and as a child, I was always scared that they weren’t going to make it home,” said Chase Dittmer. “If you take out your firearm and you pull that trigger, you can’t take that bullet back. This isn't a video game. There isn’t a restart button in real life. However, if you pull out your firearm and you’re able to talk the suspect down and de-escalate the situation, you can always put your firearm away. We want the suspects, the victims, and our law enforcement officers to make it home safely. Apex Officer training system provides that preparation.”

Learn more about how the Cincinnati Police Academy utilizes their VR training simulator by reading the Cincinnati Police Academy Case Study.

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About Apex Officer

Apex Officer is the leading provider of training simulators for the law enforcement, Defense, first responders, and educational markets. Apex Officer's proprietary technologies, software, and scenarios provide intense virtual reality training for de-escalation, judgmental use-of-force, marksmanship, crisis intervention, and related training that mimics real-world situations. Apex Officer’s mission is to use 21st-century technology to solve long-standing problems in policing and public safety.

About the Author

Carey Rhodes
Marketing Manager

Marketing Manger at Apex Officer