The Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC) is piloting a new era of immersive learning with virtual reality (VR) training at our Northwest Regional Campus in Arlington. This cutting-edge program, developed in partnership with Axon, gives recruits and officers realistic, hands-on experiences that sharpen judgment, strengthen skills, and improve retention. By practicing in a safe and controlled environment, officers are better prepared to make sound decisions in the field—leading to stronger community trust and safer outcomes for the people they serve.
Training That Sticks
According to WSCJTC TAC Officer Jim Morgan, VR is more than just a tool—it’s a breakthrough in how officers learn.
“Instead of having a PowerPoint or presentation, we are able to go through these training modules as an experience,” Morgan explained. “It’s a whole different level of learning—retention is up to four times higher and lasts longer than a year. It sinks in like you were actually there.”
The immersive environment helps reduce stress and distractions during training, allowing officers to focus entirely on decision-making and skill-building.
Scenarios That Matter
The VR program offers a wide range of modules, from community engagement to reality-based tactical decision-making.
- Community Engagement Training (CET): Recruits experience crises from multiple perspectives, such as the first-person view of someone experiencing a mental health crisis. Then, they step into the officer’s role in a “choose your own adventure” format where every decision has real consequences.
- Taser Training: Officers refine skills in a safe, repeatable way—building muscle memory before deploying a live cartridge. “By the time they step in for the real deal, it’s seamless. They nail it right off the bat,” Morgan noted.
- Reality-Based Training: VR challenges officers with forced decision-making—responding to scenarios that may involve empty hands, a knife, or a firearm. These environments can’t be easily recreated on a range or in a classroom.
- Consistency: Each recruit experiences the same training modules, ensuring fairness and standardized instruction across the board.
Technology That Evolves
Axon’s VR training system allows law enforcement professionals to practice skills that build trust and safety in the community. Officers can de-escalate tense encounters, build empathy by experiencing different perspectives, and prepare for high-risk scenarios—all while training in a repeatable, cost-effective, and safe environment.
Future modules will incorporate AI-driven conversations to simulate communication under pressure, further streamlining instruction and expanding learning opportunities.
A Step Ahead for Washington
“This is leaps and bounds ahead,” Morgan said. “We are going to have our recruits come out with better retention, consistent training, and the ability to practice more instead of sitting in a lecture. It’s a whole new evolution of training.”
Executive Director Monica Alexander emphasized the statewide importance of the pilot program:
“Our communities expect well-trained, thoughtful, and professional officers. By bringing virtual reality into our training, we are preparing recruits to handle complex situations with empathy and confidence. This is about advancing public safety while ensuring every officer we train is ready to serve with integrity.”
The pilot program will expand from the NW Regional Campus to other locations, building toward a unified statewide system.
WSCJTC is proud to lead the way in innovative training that strengthens community trust, equips officers with essential skills, and sets a new national standard for law enforcement education.
Learn more about Axon’s VR training system: Axon VR Training