COBB COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

PRESS RELEASE

 

Sheriff’s Office Purchases Firearms Simulator

            Using confiscated funds from federal forfeiture sharing, The Cobb County Sheriff’s Office recently acquired a state-of -the art shooting simulator from VirTra Systems, Inc. The simulator, which cost approximately $113,000.00, is more advanced than any other system currently offered for firearms training.

            The VirTra Combat Readiness Shooting Simulator utilizes over 200 video scenarios on a 360 degree surrounding screen that engages officers in realistic, unpredictable and threatening situations that could actually occur.    The unit uses real weapons converted to function with compressed air and lasers that provide accurate look and feel simulations.  Depending on the scenarios, officers may face multiple assailants intermingled with innocent bystanders including some situations which require different levels of force or a combination of force.

            According to Sheriff Neil Warren, the simulator will allow officers to participate in unique training scenarios that can prepare them to make sound decisions in shoot/don’t shoot situations.  “It is an unfortunate reality that today’s law enforcement officers are much more likely to be confronted with the need to use deadly force in the performance of their duties. This training simulator will provide our deputies with the best and most realistic firearms training possible.”

            In an effort to share the unit with other regional law enforcement agencies, Sheriff Warren made the decision to have the simulator located at the North Central Law Enforcement Academy.  A strong advocate of regional training, Warren states “it is my belief that crime transcends jurisdictional boundaries and it is our responsibility to insure that our officers prepare and train together to confront life threatening situations when they occur. It is imperative that all agencies have the opportunity to receive the best possible training so they can provide better law enforcement services to their communities.

            The VirTra Simulator was installed last week at the Academy and the current mandate class will be the first graduating class to have the opportunity to use the training simulator.  

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RELEASE DATE August 29, 2007  For further information contact  Nancy Bodiford at 770-499-4723

 



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