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Committee backs $351,000 virtual‑reality training system for police funded by PSST
Summary
Captain Irvin presented a proposal to purchase a VArmed Inc. virtual‑reality training system for $351,000 (plus $31,500 annual maintenance after year one); the Finance & Budget Committee unanimously recommended the purchase to council and staff said PSST funding has been identified.
The Finance & Budget Committee on Nov. 3 voted to recommend City Council approval of a virtual‑reality training system for the Police Department from VArmed Inc. at a purchase price not to exceed $351,000.
Captain Irvin told the committee immersive VR training can reproduce high‑stress scenarios safely, permit flexible scheduling and be tailored to local environments for de‑escalation and tactical exercises. He said the system includes installation, on‑site training and year‑one maintenance; ongoing service and maintenance beginning year two was estimated at $31,500 annually.
Staff said funding for the VR platform is identified through the Public Safety Sales Tax (PSST) and estimated implementation time to full operation is eight weeks after project start. Committee members asked whether councilors could try the system and whether other departments or neighboring agencies offer similar capabilities; Captain Irvin said the vendor is based in Brooklyn, N.Y., several large departments use similar systems, and this deployment would be among the first at this scale in the Midwest.
Vice Chair Lovell moved and the committee unanimously recommended Bill 25‑217 to Council for approval; the committee recorded unanimous ayes from Chair Shields, Vice Chair Lovell, Mayor Pro Tem Lopez and Council Member Funk.
