By VirTra
In response to increasing public demand for enhanced police training, Police1 surveyed its readership of law enforcement professionals in 2021 with the question, “Do you want more training, and if so, what kind?” The overwhelming response was a resounding “Yes!” However, many barriers exist between departments and accessing critical training, particularly in areas like de-escalation.
Live-action scenario training, which requires skilled staff, equipment and significant budgeting, is often beyond the reach of many police departments, particularly smaller agencies. The logistics of coordinating these resources make such training expensive, limiting access beyond basic requirements.
VirTra and the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training (IADLEST) recognized this challenge and launched Taskforce Santa, a project aimed at delivering elite training to agencies in need — at no cost. Last year, the Atoka Police Department, a small agency outside Memphis, Tennessee, received a V-100 simulator, which significantly enhanced their training efforts.
According to Sgt. Chris Covarrubias, the department’s training coordinator, the simulator provided much-needed training for their relatively inexperienced patrol officers. “While we have 40 years of combined experience between me and my two sergeants, our patrol officers have only about five years each. The simulator has been an excellent way to get them the exposure they need.”
Building on the success of last year’s initiative, VirTra is expanding Taskforce Santa by accepting nominations earlier and from more organizations. Police departments can be nominated — or nominate themselves — to receive a free VirTra V-100 simulator, which includes over 90 hours of NCP-certified curricula and has been tested for accuracy and reliability by Ohio State University.
Nominations are now open, with winners announced on December 3. If you know of an agency that could benefit from advanced training technology, submit your nomination today. Click here.