Simulation in Law Enforcement: Safe Learning Spaces for Law Officers

Simulators can significantly reduce error in patient care provision. Pilots have used simulation for years and pilots are first in flight in a simulator. Technically speaking, the vast majority of people would never agree to flying with a pilot who has not had simulator training first. Similarly, perhaps most parents would not like to know that the first chest tube insertion the young doctor has performed is now on young Johnny who is desperately ill.

Then, as law enforcement, the safety of our community is to their charge. Simulators can massively reduce community harm and officer danger. When these simulators are used wisely, they can change our agency’s culture in relation to liability, high-risk encounters, over use of force and emergency response driving. This session will address interacting with the community health care providers after an officer shooting of a community member and how simulation can enhance critical thinking. Multiple avenues of simulation use to mitigate negative community relations could change our society's approach to dealing with conflict and violence.

The world we live in is miles away from a decade ago; technology can significantly increase the officer’s chances of going home safely and avoiding unnecessary injury to those it protects. Exactly as the health care environment uses the high fidelity in teaching patient care delivery and deliberate practice for expert procedure performance, critical thinking and patient safety, so it is with law enforcement and the use of high fidelity with the police simulators. The simulators high fidelity scenarios give natural recoil of the weapon and produces similar if not exact stress levels under simulated scenario cases. Utilizing health care professionals in law enforcement training and education has provided immense benefits to the Provo Police Department. The quality of the scenario delivery and the reaction of the simulation recipients have been both complementary and highly beneficial. The officers have noticed more confidence in their abilities to utilize deescalating techniques taught during simulation in policing which conceivably has saved lives.

The benefits of simulation in developing and promoting best practices, effective communication with health care professionals when injury has occurred will be examined and explored during this session.