I’ve spent quite a few years—both while I was in the Army and as a university faculty researcher—working to improve human performance through the use of various technologies, including simulators. During that time, the two most common questions I was asked were, “What should I buy?” and “What should I do with the technology/simulator I have?”
When I initially got involved in law enforcement training, specifically the use of driving simulators, I really couldn’t fully support the idea as a practical means for training police officers. But a lot has changed in the last three to five years—including my opinion of simulators. Probably the most significant changes have been to the cost and, on the technological side, to the visual displays and relative ease of operation. But the other critical change has been in the audience—specifically for us, the recruits entering law enforcement today. Let’s take a closer look at each of these changes and their impacts on law enforcement training.
Money & Realism
The cost factor has been and continues to be a major challenge in law enforcement training, whether at the local, state or federal level. Although technology is viewed by many as a way to reduce training costs, until recently, simulators were primarily found only within the military, aviation or NASA communities. This was a function of their significant initial cost and subsequent cost of operation.
Visual systems, which were responsible for half the cost, were often hundreds of thousands of dollars themselves. Other significant costs were tied to the complex computer subsystems used to power the simulators, as well as the simulators’ other features, including the models represented and the terrain database on which they were operating. Fortunately, the game industry has done us all a service by forcing innovations in both visual and computer systems, thereby making their platforms affordable to most households.
The advances in microcomputers capability can best be illustrated by the fact that the Sony PlayStation 3 actually uses the equivalent of a supercomputer as its central processor. Add to this the incredible quality of graphics as a result of the game world using artists instead of computer programmers, and designing tools for efficiently (read: cheaply) incorporating realistic-looking models. The result: We in law enforcement reap the benefits as these technologically advanced features are incorporated into the driving simulators made available to us.
For certain phases of training, especially where the skills involved are more mental than physical, these simulators can reduce the costs associated with live driving: repairs, gas, routine maintenance (tire checks, oil changes, tune-ups, etc.). Further, in a virtual environment, a large database of vehicles can be selected for an advanced driver or a specific training need, factors that would greatly increase costs in a live training environment.
Simple = Useable
The second factor in this evolution is ease of use, and by this I mean the operations, maintenance and scenario development associated with simulations. Virtually all law enforcement driving simulators available today use PC technology and Microsoft Windows operating systems—not C++ or command line interface. This means we don’t have to rely on computer programmers who are skilled in machine language or other complex computer languages to operate the programs. Further, with some training and hands-on experience, many existing EVOC trainers can become proficient at using the driving simulators.
This is a big shift from where we were a few years ago when military simulators could only be found in special regional simulation centers that were operated and maintained by highly trained and specialized personnel. Personnel had to be pre-trained on how to operate the programs, and the applications were often generic across units because it was too difficult to
tailor simulation programs for differing missions or SOPs.
The Target Audience
The third major factor that makes me recommend the use of driving simulators for law enforcement training is the audience. No, this isn’t a technology change, but it is one that really demands that simulators be used to meet the learning needs of today’s recruits.
To say that the members of Gen Y (aka, the Millennials) have grown up with digital media and rapid technology changes is an understatement. This generation can include anyone born in the mid-1970s to the early 2000s.
Gen Y prefers to communicate using cell phones, social networking mediums and text messaging rather than face-to-face contact, and they prefer webinars and online technology to traditional lecture-based presentations. They’re confident, ambitious and achievement-oriented. They have high expectations of their employers, seek out new challenges, and they aren’t afraid to question authority. Gen Y wants meaningful work and a solid learning curve. They’re loyal, committed and want to be included and involved. They crave attention in the forms of feedback and guidance. Although boomers may expect a phone call or in-person meeting on important topics, younger workers may prefer virtual problem-solving, and specific, timely feedback on their performance.1
Another interesting thing about this generation: They didn’t grow up with a strong desire to drive. Rather, they are often satisfied to be driven around or ride along with others. And when they do drive, it’s often a small and fuel-
efficient vehicle, if not a hybrid. So training Gen Y using an integrated strategy with driving simulators offers both a technology solution but also one that provides the opportunity for practice and the comprehensive feedback that they need on the necessary advanced driving skills of a police interceptor.
As you can see, the gap between the more traditional and experienced EVOC instructor and the Gen Y recruit is huge on many levels, and simulators can be extremely useful in bridging that gap.
Let’s now turn to some of the benefits simulators can offer, as well as some of the additional considerations related to implementing this type of training in our industry.
Simulator Benefits
Simulators can be used to diagnose students’ problems, and they can be used in decision-making exercises in which realistic cues or situations can be presented in ever-increasing levels of complexity, with very detailed performance feedback and remediation at each step.
Situations that are too dangerous to practice live, such as challenging pursuits in traffic or through congested areas, can be trained on to the point that the recruit realizes that some pursuits are simply not worth continuing and need to be handled by other means—an invaluable lesson. And for recruits who will begin as primary patrol officers, driving simulators offer them the opportunity to test the advanced integration of the many skills that they will need to perform in the vehicle while maintaining safe driving: use of radio communications, mobile data terminal (MDT), GPS, laptops and coordination with other vehicles.
Simulators can record recruits’ responses, provide replay from several angles so they can see their mistakes, learn to self assess, receive objective and very specific feedback and very personal, tailored remediation and additional practice to overcome the errors and master these complex decision-making skills that can be the difference between a successful pursuit and one that should be stopped or ends in tragedy.
Scenarios can be tailored to replicate real-life situations and used for remediation as well as training. Everyone agrees that lack of experience is often the reason for a crash, and I like to say that when done correctly, the driving simulator can provide “virtual” experience that can be called upon to fill in for the years of experience they lack or even as continual education. So although a driving simulator is not a substitute for a patrol car, in many ways, it is a superior training tool.
Complex Considerations
One of the challenges associated with simulators is that the benefits of this type of training can only be achieved with the proper implementation of the driving simulators into the overall training program. Unlike some outdated training technologies, which may simply enhance the content (e.g., PowerPoint software that allows embedding of video and other graphics), driving simulators must be integrated in a much more cohesive fashion, as they are a complex training tool—not simply a substitute for a patrol car.
Further, driving simulators are an evolution of training technology similar to use of force simulators in that they bring an entirely different set of capabilities to police officer driver training. Therefore, the entire driver training program needs to be considered to determine the best ways to integrate the new systems to achieve the maximum benefit and the highest learning outcomes.
Additionally, the process of designing simulator-based training that achieves “virtual” experience requires a more complex process of training development—a process that is less content-oriented and much more performance-oriented. An instructor becomes much more of a mentor and coach than an instructor. Further, schedules must become more integrated and rotate from knowledge presentation, to application and practice, to evaluation and feedback, to remediation and then onto the next skill, following the same sequence. And the learning objectives must be tied directly to driving tasks on the job, with success being measured by job performance, not classroom grades.
Where to Go from Here
This process of systematically linking job success and training activities is well established in military and aviation training, but not so well in ground transportation communities, such as commercial carriers or public agencies, such as police and fire or civilian fleets.
Simulators are a product of military and aviation training, and to be used properly, a process of systematic training design for successful driving simulator implementation must be adopted. This is especially critical when looking at the number of fatal and career-ending crashes occurring in the law enforcement communities across the nation. When we factor in this generation of new recruits’ background and their overall lack of regular driving experience, the situation truly calls for a new way of training and enhancing their performance. Systematically designed and well integrated driving simulators that offer the opportunity for “virtual experience” can play a large role in solving the situation.
References
1. Tulgan B: Not Everyone Gets a Trophy: How to Manage Generation Y. Jossey-Bass: San Francisco, 2009.
Stories of Success
Experience by the military and the aviation community demonstrates how this can work, with such examples as the amazing success of young, U.S. Army tank commanders in the first Gulf War against the Iraqi Republican Guard, as well as Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger’s successful landing of Flight 1549 in the Hudson River under extreme emergency conditions. In both examples, the success was attributed to simulator training in which those involved were “virtually placed” in dangerous situations and had to practice making decisions until they had achieved success.
Sim Resources
Doron Precision
Doron’s 38 years of experience and expertise has resulted in the development of the technologically advanced and curriculum focused 550LE Driver Training Simulation System. Each Doron driving simulator is engineered and manufactured to exacting specifications. This assures safety, comfort and an effective learning experience with strict attention to global technical requirements.
150 Corporate Dr.
Binghamton, NY 13904
607/772-1610
[email protected]
Drive Square
Drive Square in-vehicle driving simulators are simple and portable, re-training drivers in the field instead of a training center. Also used for D.A.R.E./drunk/distracted driving demonstrations at schools, the Drive Square Simulation System is a driving simulator that enables a trainee to drive in a virtual space, while operating the controls of an actual vehicle. Using their own or an instructor’s vehicle, the client drives onto a pair of turntables.
877/224-7708, ext. 111
FAAC Inc.
FAAC’s exclusive Vehicle Interactive Pursuit-5 (VIP-5) system is a common-sense answer for instructing new and veteran police officers. Your system can include a range of functions to support these skills and others in the most realistic environment possible.
1229 Oak Valley Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
734/761-5836
L-3 MPRI
Thanks to the latest digital simulation technology by MPRI, the PatrolSim can create life-like training scenarios of virtually any kind on screen, which are used to improve driving behaviors and skills. The Sim Commander allows the driver to navigate through the training program via touch screen, freeing up the resources of the trainer.
2961 W. California Ave.
Salt Lake City, UT 84104
801/983-9900
Simulator Technology
An authentic, genuine cockpit with all the needed controls for true tactile training is a critical aspect of the fundamentals for building good judgment and decision making during situations of risk when your team is responding to incidents.
630/365-3400
www.sim-tech.us/DTS-law-enforcement.html
SkidCar
SkidCar System technology and training enables law enforcement, protective services, emergency transportation agencies and private companies to train in the techniques of skid avoidance, accident avoidance and proper safe driving strategies. SkidCar has available a mobile driver training program complete with certified instructor to deliver driver training to agencies or companies who don’t have the SkidCar equipment.
6440 Sky Pointe Dr., # 140
Las Vegas, NV 89131
702/395-2896
[email protected]
