Derbyshire police become first force in UK to learn how to use tasers via VR

A police force has become the first in the country to train officers on how to use tasers by using RoboCop-style virtual reality headsets.
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Derbyshire Constabulary is trialling the high-tech training method which involves placing officers in realistic scenarios using a virtual reality platform.

Rookie cops will don the state-of-the-art kit to be taught how to discharge the 50,000 volt weapons at the force's HQ in Ripley.

Officers in Derbyshire are helping trial a new virtual reality platform to help train in the use of Taser devices.Officers in Derbyshire are helping trial a new virtual reality platform to help train in the use of Taser devices.
Officers in Derbyshire are helping trial a new virtual reality platform to help train in the use of Taser devices.
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The force is currently bidding for 200 new Taser devices over the next two years, which will be given to officers on a voluntary rather than obligatory basis.

They hope if the trial proves a success, the VR training methods will be rolled out nationally across all force areas.

Pete Moss, Derbyshire Constabulary's taser training manager, said: “The program that has been developed is a game changer for our training of officers in the use of Taser.

“The realism really does have to be seen to be believed and the work the team have done to ensure that officers are able to use the same equipment they would when they are out on patrol has been absolutely outstanding.

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“Being able to put officers in realistic situations – rather than the staged ones we set up as usual – really does take the training to a new level.

“With this we can help give officers more time in scenarios, which means they are even better prepared should they need to use a Taser in a critical moment.”

The force says the new training methods also saves them tens of thousands of pounds by using fewer taser cartridges.

Mr Moss added: “First and foremost the program offers some huge benefits for the training of officers.

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“But a by-product of the new training is that, due to fewer Taser cartridges being used, there is the possibility of saving the force tens of thousands of pounds.”

Derbyshire’s Chief Constable Peter Goodman has previously said he wants to increase the number of tasers in the county.

Assistance Chief Constable Kem Mehmet said: “It’s a fundamental duty of the police to protect the public from harm.

"The use of Tasers allows specially trained officers to be effective in achieving this responsibility along with protecting themselves and their colleagues.”

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AVRT, the company behind the program, will now put the software through its paces alongside Derbyshire Police over the next three months

Project manager and co-founder of AVRT, Andy Higgs, said: “We really do believe this new program offers significant benefits to the police service and to the public through better trained police officers.

“We are really interested to see how the force adapts over the coming months, covering initial police officer Taser training courses to assess the suitability of V-Learning for this type of training and beyond.

“The advantages are clear - with better assessment of actions, greatly reduced risk in training sessions, enhanced realism vs traditional training methods, and greater repeatability and flexibility of training sessions.”

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