New London Police use virtual reality system to defuse conflict

New London Police use virtual reality system to defuse conflict

New London Police Chief of Police Brian Wright, center, talks to Brandon Gonzalez-Cottrell, Commanding Officer of the New London County Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club, as he and Samantha Ide, of New London, work through a virtual reality simulation during a demonstration of the Apex Officer virtual reality training simulator at the department on Monday, November 28. The department is the first in the state to use the virtual reality simulator designed to improve de-escalation and use-of-force training. (Sarah Gordon/The Day) Buy reprints
New London Police Officer Christina Nocito, from left, looks on as Sgt. Matthew Cassiere places equipment on Officer Daquan Stuckey during a demonstration of the Apex Officer virtual reality training simulator at the department on Monday, November 28. The department is the first in the state to use the virtual reality simulator designed to improve de-escalation and use-force training. (Sarah Gordon/The Day) Buy reprints
New London police officer David Diogo sets up a simulation during a demonstration of the Apex Officer virtual reality training simulator at the department on Monday November 28. The department is the first in the state to use the virtual reality simulator designed to improve de-escalation and use-of-force training. (Sarah Gordon/The Day) Buy reprints
The Apex Officer virtual reality training simulators are seen at the New London Police Department on Monday November 28. The department is the first in the state to use the virtual reality simulator designed to improve de-escalation and use-of-force training. (Sarah Gordon/The Day) Buy reprints
New London Police Sergeant. Matthew Cassiere sets up New London resident Samantha Ide with a virtual reality simulator during a demonstration of the Apex Officer virtual reality training simulator at the department on Monday, November 28. The department is the first in the state to use the virtual reality simulator designed to improve de-escalation and use-of-force training. (Sarah Gordon/The Day) Buy reprints
New London Police Officer Daquan Stuckey, left to right, stands guard as Captain Matt Galante assists Officer Christina Nocito in handcuffs as they work through a simulation during a demonstration of the simulator Apex Officer virtual reality training session at the department on Monday, November 28. The department is the first in the state to use the virtual reality simulator designed to improve de-escalation and use-of-force training. (Sarah Gordon/The Day) Buy reprints
New London Police Sergeant. Matthew Cassiere, from right, puts virtual reality on Brandon Gonzalez-Cottrell, commanding officer of the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club of New London County, as Captain Matt Galante and New London resident Samantha Ide look on during a demonstration of the Apex Officer Virtual Reality Training Simulator at the department on Monday, November 28. The department is the first in the state to use the virtual reality simulator designed to improve de-escalation and use-of-force training. (Sarah Gordon/The Day) Buy reprints

New London ― Police officers Daquan Stuckey and Christina Nocito responded to a domestic assault call on Monday evening.

Except it was a simulation.

Wearing an Oculus-like headset and a computer unit on his back, Nocito was participating in the simulation as part of the de-escalation training. It was her first time using the equipment.

“I had to get used to what I was seeing,” Nocito said. “I always wanted to go down the stairs.”

Thanks to a $70,000 grant from the federal Department of Justice, the police department was the first in the state to acquire the APEX Officer virtual reality simulator. Community members got a virtual taste of what it was like to be a police officer on Monday with a public demonstration of the system.

sergeant. Matt Cassiere gave a pre-demo presentation on Monday and explained the importance of the system.

Originally priced at $95,868, Cassiere said the ministry acquired the system for $62,500 with some upgrades and a discount.

He said the system will be used for de-escalation training, use of force and community outreach. Cassiere explained that de-escalation using non-violent strategies and techniques is designed to lessen the intensity of a situation and get someone’s “voluntary compliance.”

He added that the system will help officers adhere to the state’s police accountability bill by ensuring that “the peace officer … has taken reasonable de-escalation steps before using a deadly physical force”.

Police Chief Brian Wright said that regardless of rank, every police officer has a responsibility to intervene when another officer crosses the line.

Cassiere said the system is not a game and the ultimate goal is to use it for educational and training purposes.

Officer Dave Diogo controlled the simulation from a separate room while the simulation officers stood in the community room where the sensors were located. Spectators could watch what officers saw on a screen but could not hear what was said to them. Through a headset, Diogo told them what they were encountering and then acted out the roles of the people they encountered.

Two security officers stood in the room with the simulation officers to make sure they didn’t run into anything.

Two members of the community were able to test the system and answer a suspicious call in an abandoned factory. The situation was one where the use of force was ultimately necessary.

Resident Samantha Ide took part and said de-escalation is the hardest to learn and that’s why the immersive experience is so important.

Cassiere said the department has had the system for about five months and conducted its first training in September. He said the plan is to do additional training and hopefully use it on a monthly basis, opening up de-escalation courses to other police departments.

During Monday’s session, some residents asked Police Chief Brian Wright what officers should do when they believe another officer is using physical force that is not warranted.

Wright said that regardless of rank, every police officer has a responsibility to step in when another officer crosses the line. In addition, the department investigates all incidents in which officers use force.


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