VR Training Allows Florida Police Officers to Prepare for Unlimited Situations

FMPD officers build on their de-escalation and use of force skills with new VR training technology.

Virtual reality is the latest training tool for police officers in the state of Florida.

Apex Officer, the leading provider of VR training simulators for law enforcement, military, and first responders has announced that the Fort Myers Police Department is the first law enforcement agency in the state of Florida to benefit from immersive virtual reality training.

VR De-Escalation Training Available for Florida Police Officers

“This Apex Officer system allows the officers to really interact with somebody in crisis or different scenarios and different environments so they really get to develop de-escalation skills, de-escalation techniques, having a conversation with someone, all that we couldn’t do prior,” FMPD Lt. Jason Pate said.

With the Apex Officer VR training platform, every element of a possible situation is customizable in the training scenarios.

"This is about as real as you can get without being there,” said Lt. Pate. “With Apex Officer's dynamic scenario generator I can make it raining. I can make it sunny. I can make it foggy.”

FMPD Officer helping a member of its Citizens' Review Board inside of an Apex Officer VR training scenario. Photo Credit: Andrea Melendez, Naples Daily News

Benefits of VR Training for Florida Police Officers

Police departments and law enforcement agencies in the state of Florida are ready for a new and innovative training tool to better prepare the law enforcement officers keeping our communities safe. Virtual reality is here and it's better than ever thanks to Apex Officer's VR training platform.

  • VR training allows police officers to practice for the situations they encounter every day.
  • VR makes it easy for police officers to learn techniques and new tactics.
  • VR allows them to use their skills to make a real-life difference.

“The concept of using VR training to enhance officer safety is a new one, and the reality is that it might be the best training tool to use now. Legacy force options simulators are big, bulky, and haven't been upgraded since long before the dotcom bubble. Florida police officers deserve better technology. Apex Officer's VR training is the solution that police officers across the state of Florida have been patiently waiting for."

VR Training vs Traditional Training

Virtual reality training is better than classroom based training. It’s easier, more engaging, and more effective. It’s not just about the technology that makes virtual reality training better than traditional training. The fact of the matter is that it's just better training in general. Additional benefits of VR Training:

  • Virtual reality training is easier, more engaging, and more effective than traditional training.
  • Virtual reality training is easier than traditional training.
  • Virtual reality training is not rocket science. It's easy and it's fun.

Conclusion

Even for those who have previously used training simulators to train, they often find it difficult as they were told to watch a video instead of using the VR simulation in the field. Apex Officer's VR training simulator saves valuable training time and allows officers to practice those skills they need to use in real life.

Interested in bringing Apex Officer's VR training platform to your law enforcement agency? You can get started today, for free, by requesting a demo. An Apex Officer team member will contact you shortly. If you would like to begin the procurement process and/or speak to someone on our procurement team, you can do so by completing this client intake form.

About the Author

John Carter
Community and Engagement Manager

Community and Engagement Manager at Apex Officer