The Washoe County Sheriff’s Office is now using virtual reality training to help deputies practice different community action scenarios.
The virtual reality equipment they use is highly immersive and easy to use.
It allows officers to run scenarios from their own perspective and the perspective of those they come into contact with.
“The scenarios usually start with seeing things through the subject’s eyes, such as someone with a mental illness or suicidal tendencies, to gain perspective. One interesting scenario involves a deaf driver being pulled over by the police and not being able to understand what the officer is saying,” said Drill Sergeant Brock Cuyler.
During the scenario, participants make a series of choices and are given feedback based on their decisions.
Soon, all deputies in the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office will have access to this training.
So far, police officials say the training has provided many benefits across the department.
“Resource-wise, this is a huge cost savings and time savings for us, being able to take these headsets to different locations and not have to come to the training center here, we can do this during our shifts, during briefings, in the field,” said Deputy Sheriff Brian Harris.
Instructors say new scenarios will be made available each quarter, allowing for ongoing access to virtual reality training.
