Use of Force Simulator for Law Enforcement Handgun Qualification

Abstract

Significant research has been done on the use of simulators for military weapons training from initial weapons handling to robust mission planning scenarios. In the United States, less has been done to validate the use of simulators in law enforcement training. A brief history of law enforcement training is provided followed by a discussion of some points on adult educational theory that may inform current law enforcement training practices. Following a review of other disciplines using simulators for training, current practices integrating simulators into law enforcement training is provided. A short selection of the different types of simulators available to law enforcement is presented as background to the presentation of a current study regarding the use of a weapons simulator for new law enforcement cadets.