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ABSTRACT
This study is among the first to examine the perceptions of police officers who complete virtual firearms and tactics simulator training for purpose of improving relations between citizens and law enforcement officials. The results of our analysis identified two main findings. First, it showed that the vast majority of participants perceive the simulator training that they completed to be of value, as evidenced by the high mean values of positive perceptions of the simulator. Second, we identified participant characteristics related to both increased and decreased odds that participants perceive the simulator training as effective. Specifically, possessing a bachelor’s degree and employment with a municipal police department are related to an increased likelihood of perceiving the training as more effective than other training methods. Police departments and researchers should consider the possible implications of these subtle predictors and develop strategies and policies that will enhance the experiences of all trainees and, ultimately, more favorable training outcomes.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Notes
1. 19 participants did not respond to this question.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
John Comiskey
John Comiskey, Ed.D. is an Associate Professor at Monmouth University. His research interests include climate security and homeland security, intelligence, and policing curricula development. Some of his recent publications include co-editor of Theoretical Foundations of Homeland Security: Strategies, Operations, and Structures textbook as well as peer reviewed articles in Homeland Security Affairs and the Journal of Human Security and Resilience. He is the Editor of the Journal of Security, Intelligence, and Resilience Education.
Brian Lockwood
Brian Lockwood, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor and Graduate Program Director in the Department of Criminal Justice at Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey. He earned his MA and PhD in Criminal Justice at Temple University. His research interests include the correlates of juvenile delinquency, community-level factors of crime, and the use of GIS to investigate criminal behavior. Some of his recent publications have appeared in the Journal of Research in Crime & Delinquency, Environment & Behavior, and the Journal of Urban Affairs.
Shannon Cunningham
Shannon N. Cunningham, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Criminology at Bradley University. Her research interests include official misconduct, wrongful convictions, and broader issues of social justice.
Julia Arminio
Julia Arminio is a graduate of Monmouth University, where she earned her Master of Arts in Criminal Justice. During her time at Monmouth, she served as a Graduate Research Assistant to Dr. John Comiskey of the Criminal Justice Department on several research projects including the present study. She also provided administrative and editorial support for the Journal of Security, Intelligence, and Resilience Education. Ms. Arminio now works in the private sector as an Analyst for a threat intelligence and analytics firm.