Apache Junction police purchasing $342K use-of-force training simulator
Police officials training in Apache Junction. The virtual training simulator is to be housed at the Superstition Fire and Medical District regional training center at 3700 E. 16th Ave. in Apache Junction, a former school that is leased from the Apache Junction Unified School District.
City of Apache Junction
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A patented return-fire device uses electric impulses to apply stress and immediate negative consequences in training. The electric impulse can penetrate multiple layers of clothing and is available in vibrate-only mode, it states at VirTra’s website.
The Apache Junction Police Department is spending $342,000 on a virtual training simulator to put officers in real-life scenarios to help them better respond to actual events.
The five-screen simulator with real-life scenarios to be purchased to train Apache Junction police in tactics and judgment has a device that provides an electrical charge if a mistake is made. They can train with various equipment currently in service in the department as well as other weapons, according to a staff report.
The Apache Junction City Council on Oct. 1 voted unanimously to approve the $341,912.98 purchase from VirTra.
A patented return-fire device uses electric impulses to apply stress and immediate negative consequences in training. The electric impulse can penetrate multiple layers of clothing and is available in vibrate-only mode, it states at VirTra’s website, https://www.virtra.com/tool/law-enforcement-threat-fire.
Councilmember Bryan Soller, who is a police officer, said during a Sept. 16 council work session that he has used such equipment.
“It is a stress; they put you up to electricity so if you make a mistake, you pay for it. It stings. It doesn’t hurt you, but it stings and lets you know and then you can go back and review it because everything is videoed. You can review their actions and discuss it,” he said.
“I actually use this; Mesa has it. It is outstanding. The police department is the highest-liability thing we have in the city. If we go out there and we make a mistake and we shoot the wrong person or we use the wrong type of force, we’re going to get sued. And it costs a lot of money when we do that. By training — and training virtual in real time — this sets it up where you can use everything from Taser to voice commands to lethal force. It’s an exceptional tool,” Soller said.
The V-300 model is to be purchased with:
Glock 17 and M4 AR15 M16 tetherless laser recoil kits;
A Taser 7 simulation cartridge package;
Barrel mounted, shock-sensor-actuated laser module for the pepperball launcher system;
A 40MM laser-based sponge round for use with tube launchers;
A camera and cables for real-time monitoring, recording and playback during debriefing sessions of trainees;
And a return-fire simulator device that attaches via a belt clip to deliver a safe and adjustable electrical impulse or vibration to the trainee, according to a written price quote from VirTra of Chandler, which was in the council packet.
Funding would come from American Rescue Plan Act funds, Police Chief Michael Pooley told the council at the Sept. 16 work session.
“This purchase of this virtual simulator is something that is top-of-the-line. It’s the most advanced technology that we have to offer any law enforcement officers,” he said. “It gives them a 300-degree view around them. We can impose any type of situation whether it’s somebody that’s calm or somebody that’s violent, somebody that’s having a mental-health crisis or any type of situation. And depending on how our officers react, it gives them the opportunity to have a real-life scenario.”
A three-dimensional environment is offered in the simulator, with use-of-force and firearms training, according to his presentation.
“Every year we are also required to do a judgmental shoot, which means we put our officers through a scenario-based training where they have to use their best judgment. They’re required to pass, obviously. If they don’t pass, they have to go through remedial and if they don’t, we’re able to use this as another training tool,” Chief Pooley said.
“Although it is virtual and not realistic, it still produces a stress-induced training where we can put sounds, we can put lights and sirens — everything to make sure that it is as realistic as possible,” he said.
Council discussion
Councilmember Bambi Johnson asked if there are ongoing costs, such as the software.
“It is, there is an ongoing cost. I don’t know what it is offhand, but it is not (that),” he said, gesturing to the total cost in his presentation.
“I didn’t think that was monthly,” Johnson said.
The cost is $25,769.41 annually, according to the written price quote from VirTra of Chandler, which was in the council packet.
Councilmember Darryl Cross asked where the simulator would be set up.
“So we have a room actually already prepared and planned for at the fire training center,” Pooley said of the Superstition Fire and Medical District regional training center at 3700 E. 16th Ave. in Apache Junction, a former school that is leased from the Apache Junction Unified School District.
“So can they change it around for firefighters to use it?” Cross said.
“Well, I’ll be nice, but yes we could,” Chief Pooley said.
Cross asked if it could be rented or the fire district could pay the annual cost.
“Yeah, it is meant for law enforcement and I’m sure they’ll want to play with it as well,” Chief Pooley said.
An intergovernmental agreement is needed with AJUSD, City Attorney Joel Stern said later at the work session.
“We’re going to need a school district IGA amendment because it’s school district property,” he said. “We’re working on that.”
Councilmember Johnson said the council would want a demonstration on the use of the simulator.
“That would be one of the things — we’ll invite all of you,” Chief Pooley said.
Councilmember Peter Heck asked if police officers could go in on their own and use the simulator.
“We will have people that are trained. You can’t go in by yourself and do it because you have to have somebody behind you,” Chief Pooley said.
Richard H. Dyer can be reached at rdyer@iniusa.org, or on X @rhdyer. To voice your opinion on this story, connect with us at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.
Meet Richard Richard Dyer has worked at Independent Newsmedia Inc. USA since 1987, starting his career in Apache Junction as a copy editor and being promoted over the years to work as the editor of the Mesa Independent, news services editor for the East Valley office in Apache Junction, managing editor for the East Valley office, news services editor for the East Valley office and eventually also for the newspapers at INI’s then-Chandler office, managing editor again and as a news editor covering Apache Junction/Gold Canyon and Queen Creek. He helped start the Florence Independent while the news editor covering Apache Junction and Mesa news. In January 2023, he became associate managing editor for the East Valley newspapers and in August 2023 became managing editor for the East Valley newspapers of Chandler/Tempe, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Florence, Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon, while also reporting on Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon.
Community: Since 2009, he has worked as a volunteer to design The Blue Guitar Magazine, Blue Guitar Jr. magazine and Unstrung magazine, which are projects of The Arizona Consortium for the Arts; and since 2014, has been overseeing the art submissions.
Education: University of Arizona with a master of arts in journalism and a bachelor of science in agricultural communication. Also continuing education at Mesa Community College in welding in a metal art sculpture class.
Random fact: Saw his first tornado on May 31, 2010, which was classified as an EF-2, as part of a stormchasing tour group.
Hobbies: He is an artist of welded-steel sculptures, selling his artwork at juried and non-juried art shows.
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