As Real As It Gets

• NCJ Number: 211771
• Author(s): National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center
• Date Published: January 1999
• Length: 2 pages
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored

Annotation

Drawing on actual officer experiences and proven police tactics, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and the Naval Air Warfare Center in Orlando, FL, provide law enforcement officers realistic training with a high-tech simulation system called the Weapons Team Engagement Trainer (WTET).

Abstract

WTET provides training for handling law enforcement scenarios that include a gang fight in a school, a noisy-party complaint, a domestic violence/hostage encounter, and a drug bust. Built into each scenario is the potential for the use of force, ranging from batons and pepper spray to handguns, shotguns, and MP-5s. Trainees can move without being tethered to a computer, allowing for realistic freedom of movement and the opportunity to practice a wider variety of tactics training, including room entry. The system also uses continuous aim-point tracking to record precisely where each trainee's weapon is pointed at all times and where his/her shots impact. Onscreen adversaries shoot back, reacting to the trainee's movements and positions within the room. Following each scenario, summary statistics are presented onscreen in color-coded tables, enabling instructors and trainees to see the number of rounds fired by each trainee; a breakdown of rounds in terms of misses, hits, and wounds; significant interaction events (who shot whom); timing of significant interaction events; and total scenario time. The scenario and the trainee's performance within the scenario can be replayed for review and critique.