Hoffman Estates Police adopt virtual-reality training to expand on-duty practice

Detective Tim Kubat of Hoffman Estates's Tactical Action Community Team described a virtual-reality training program the police department introduced in 2025, saying it lets officers step into realistic calls for service without leaving the station.

"Imagine an officer being able to step into a real life call for service without ever leaving the station," Kubat said, explaining the Axon-based system allows short training scenarios that reproduce stress, raise heart rates and require real-time decisions.

Kubat said the VR sessions are typically 10 to 15 minutes, which allows officers to train more consistently "without leaving their beats uncovered." Instructors can pause scenarios to review details such as where a taser was deployed or how many shots were taken, enabling immediate feedback.

The program can present scenarios from multiple perspectives — the responding officer, an overview or even the eyes of a victim or perpetrator — to build understanding and reinforce policy, Kubat said. He added the system is intended to enhance, not replace, traditional training.

Why it matters: Short, frequent, scenario-based training may let departments increase the volume of realistic practice without removing officers from patrol for extended periods. The department reported no added recurring costs once the system is in place, and emphasized that every scenario is winnable to encourage iterative learning.

Kubat closed by noting the system's ability to reset and allow officers to try again, which he said builds confidence for real-life encounters.