Pascagoula Police Department is the first in the state to introduce training equipment that gives officers a chance to practice real world situations without having to be in real-world confrontations.

In a release from PPD, officials announced that the department will be bringing in a Police Officer Virtual Reality Training Simulator. The VR training will help ensure officers are using proper de-escalation techniques without negative impacts on officers or citizens.

According to their website, Apex Officer, the company the equipment was purchased from, is a 21st century virtual reality training platform for law enforcement agencies. The 360-degree fully-immersive virtual reality simulator enables officers to train for difficult real-world situations, including use-of-force, active shooters, de-escalation, crisis intervention, terrorist attacks, and more.

“We know it will help empower officers to improve the safety and quality of life for our community even more so than they do now,” PPD posted.

According to research cited by Apex Officer, with virtual reality officers retain up to 90% more information than they do while sitting in a classroom-based lecture or participating in projector-based role playing scenarios.

The training equipment was purchased with funds seized by local narcotics task forces.