Local police get hands-on experience with new VR training tech

PEORIA (Heart of Illinois ABC) – Local law enforcement tried out some new virtual reality training tech Tuesday, aimed at improving their split-second decision-making.

APEX Officer is a new tool being used at the Central Illinois Police Training Center at Illinois Central College. The training functions much like a virtual reality video game, but scenarios are fully customizable.

It’s designed to put officers in interactive real world situations forcing the same split-second decisions they might have to make on the job.

“You can make any scenario that you want. You want a guy with a knife, a guy with a gun, you can make a domestic situation,” training center director Brian Fengel said.

A simulated scenario could take place in a busy grocery store, an apartment complex or even a correctional facility. A live trainer can place obstacles, control suspect behavior and even have a conversation with the trainee.

“[It’s] pretty realistic,” LaSalle County Sheriff’s Deputy John Samaniego said. “Elevated heart rate, elevated breathing, and the thought process kicks in automatically. You have to be two and three steps ahead to know what’s going to happen to try and be ready for what could happen.”

Nearly 100 member agencies from across the area will have access to the new tech. Fengel says the cutting-edge tech will help officers better deescalate situations and save lives.

“You cannot ever get enough training,” Fengel said. “We’re always training to make law enforcement better.”

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