Sheriff's Dept. Virtual, In-House Training Tops in State

Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer

The Anderson County Sheriff's Department for a virtual new training setup aimed at better preparing officers for intense situations.

The $200,000 VirTra V-300 Law Enforcement Simulator is has been in place almost four months to help officers prepare to make proper decisions when deadly force is authorized under current laws. The system, which offers virtual training on five situations - Active Threat/Active Killer, Dog Encounters, De-Escalation, Stop Time Drill and Practice and Prepare Drills - officers might face calling for instant decisions. 

Special Operations Capt. Wanye Mills said that coupled with the hands-on, in-house training facility run by the department, law enforcement officers can take to the streets with a comprehensive knowledge of how to respond quickly to difficult situations.

Mills said using state-of-the-art technology and the physical training facility, the Anderson County Sheriff's Department is preparing law enforcement officers for almost every situation they will face on duty, using controlled environments and scenarios. The training also helps potential recruits determine if the actual day-to-day fast-decision making career is right for them before hiring.