Virtual Police Training System Simulates Stress Of Real Active Shooter Call
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A report of an active shooter is a call no police officer wants to get, but as those calls increase, police are preparing with a hi-tech system that virtually puts them in the middle of the action.
CBS 2's Roseanne Tellez reports from a special training academy in Glenview.
At the Northeastern Illinois Public Safety Training Academy, a hi-tech system called VirTra, paid for by Cook County Homeland Security, can help get officers accustomed to the stress.
Officers enter simulated scenarios, such as a high school shooting. It's all shown on a 300 degree screen with the sounds of real shots.
In this scenario, the shooter could be around any corner.
"So by simulating and providing them a safe environment where they can do that but simulate the fear, they leave here more confident," according to xxxx
Officers from Cook, Lake and DuPage counties are all being trained free of charge.
Another VirTra system will be operating in the south suburbs later this year
I got a taste of the stress that goes with that process, called to a simulated situation to assist a probation officer taking a violator into custody.
Suddenly, the woman gets the officer in a choke hold with a box cutter.
I yell: "OK, Drop your gun!"
I fire.
And get off a very lucky shot.
