New police training draws from WSU research

By Linda Weiford, WSU News

SPOKANE, Wash. – A portable use-of-force simulator aimed at launching a new era in police training is being rolled out by Washington State University.

Called the Counter Bias Training Simulation, or CBTsim, it is the only simulation technology to use interactive video scenarios derived from extensive research of actual police-involved shootings over 30 years in the U.S.

Developed by researchers at WSU’s Simulated Hazardous Operational Tasks Laboratory in Spokane, the device is being offered as a science-driven training tool at a time when shootings involving police are under intense public scrutiny.

“Whether officers are too quick to shoot or hesitant to shoot in fear of reprisal, the level of threat is the only thing that should influence decisions to shoot,” said assistant professor Lois James, who created 60 interactive scenarios drawn from her analysis of data on encounters where both police and suspects used deadly force.

Evidence-based training, from the streets

CBTsim projects full-size, high-definition video scenarios where officers must make rapid decisions in tense situations. Instead of pressing “shoot/don’t shoot” buttons, participants are armed with a Glock pistol equipped with a laser sensor. All the while, the simulator precisely tracks when the weapon is fired and where the laser strikes.

“We’ve been able to recreate critical situations that officers face on the street using evidence-based variables,” said James. “If training scenarios aren’t realistic, then officers aren’t getting the information they need to make life-or-death decisions.”

Simulation participants confront a host of variables ranging from day vs. night, a ghetto vs. upscale neighborhood, friendly vs. angry suspects, the suspect’s hand position and weapon type and how he or she is dressed. Read more.