Knoxville Police Department officers and police recruits now have a new and advanced tool that will enhance all aspects of training, as the department has completed the installation of its VirTra simulator.

Through Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Office De-Escalation Grant funding, the KPD purchased the VirTra V-300 Simulator and necessary accessories. The V-300 Simulator is composed of five screens providing 300 degrees of visual coverage with 4k capabilities.

The simulator allows officers and recruits to take part in immersive, real-world training for a wide variety of scenarios, including responding to active threats or shooters, individuals in crisis or with cognitive or developmental disabilities, hostage situations, and more. The simulator will provide a unique platform for officers and recruits to improve their communication and de-escalation tactics, sharpen their firearm skills, and experience true-to-life scenarios in a safe environment.

“The VirTra Simulator is a total game-changer for our department,” Chief Paul Noel said. “Our officers and recruits already receive some of the best training offered anywhere in the country, and this has the potential to completely revolutionize how we teach and train our staff.

“We want to responsibly leverage technology to be as effective and efficient as possible, strengthen our training, and make our community safer. The simulator is a great example of how we can use technology to make our department better.”

Installation of the VirTra simulator was completed earlier this week at the Public Safety Complex. KPD training staff members also underwent VirTra instructor training this week in preparation for the immediate integration into the department’s police recruit and officer training curriculum.