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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Sergeant George Lill
DATE: March 18, 2021
SUBJECT:
Resolution authorizing the City of Aurora to purchase an Apex Officer training simulator from GOVRED Technology, Inc. with Equitable Sharing Justice Funds, fund 256.
PURPOSE:
The Apex Officer training system is a comprehensive solution that is designed to allow Aurora Police trainers the ability to give presentation and classes, conduct interactive testing and assessment and provide immersive hands-on scenario- based exercises with detailed debriefing and after action review. The Apex Officer system is designed to increase a police officer’s knowledge, skills and confidence in a safe, challenging environment that is highly interactive and engaging. The system allows the trainers to interact with the trainee and allow their verbal skills to de-escalate the situation or address any threats presented to them. This allows for a real-life interactions where verbal and command skills can be honed.
BACKGROUND:
The Aurora Police Department has a reputation for being a professional and highly trained agency. We have long been training at a higher level than our law enforcement counterparts and our department mandates on training far exceed those set by the State of Illinois. The Apex Officer system utilizes a state-of-the-art virtual reality mounted display to create the world’s most realistic and immersive judgmental training simulator. The Apex Officer with a virtual reality head mounted display makes it capable of producing active engagements from a 360-degree environment surrounding the officers. The system utilizes Dolby Atmos multi-directional audio technology and seamless software simulations that simulate different environments and situations that will challenge the officers. The virtual training weapons and accessories are designed to look, weigh, and feel like their real-life counterpart. The Apex training vest allows the users to experience incredible real-world sensations which are capable of delivering a safe and adjustable electrical impulse to simulate hostile fire and enhance realism during training. With the Haptic Training Vest every officer will be able to feel every time they have been hit, shot, knocked, touched, or brushed up against. The system will also allow an after-action debriefing which provides real-time monitoring, recording, and playback. This is important so mistakes can be addressed, if and when they occur, in a safe.
DISCUSSION:
The purchase of Apex Officer virtual simulator would enhance our current training possibilities. This system could be used in our mandatory training, as well as during an officer’s uncommitted patrol time. This would replace the outdated and inoperable Milo system, which is 12 years old and not currently functioning. It is a two-dimensional screen with limitations on areas of movement and scenario options. Once an officer has been through a scenario they would know what to expect. At the time, it was a good purchase and had a significant training benefit, however, due to the advances in technology the Apex Officer makes the Milo system or other projection systems obsolete. Apex Officer blends randomization, artificial intelligence and voice recognition which provides an infinite number of training opportunities and scenarios. This is the future for law enforcement training and would take our training to the next level. The total purchase would cost a total of $117,868 but Aurora Police Department will receive a $55,368.00 discount for being the first agency in Illinois to have this technology. With the discount it would cost a total of $62,500 which will be purchased with the use of asset forfeiture funds. Apex Officer offers a 12-month warranty, includes an Instructor/ Operator course covering hardware setup, all software updates, and trouble shooting.
The Apex Officer can be purchased through asset forfeiture funding, as it is an allowable expense. The money for this project is being drawn from the Department of Treasury Assets Forfeiture Account. They are authorized purchases as outlined in the July 2018 Guide to Equitable Sharing for State, Local, and Tribal Law Enforcement Agencies. (For specifics see page 15, item D of this publication.) Funding will require a 2021 budget amendment to the Equitable Sharing Justice Fund 256, Account 256-3536-421.61-40.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
Approval for this purchase would all increase our officer’s ability to safely interact with citizens through enhanced real-world training situations. Additionally, it will be cost effective over time as our current scenario-based training is conducted with live role players which typically creates overtime. When simunition weapons are incorporated they sometimes break down, require repairs, and need maintenance. The munitions for these weapons are also approximately $1.00 a round and when used for a mandatory training for the entire department, we could use 10 to 20 thousand rounds. Due to interactive capabilities of Apex Officer the scenarios will always be able to be changed, situations and environments altered, all which create realistic opportunities for officers to hone their de-escalation skills and keep them alert for possible assaults.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Approve the purchase for the Apex Officer training system at a cost not to exceed $62,500.00 which will add to our current training techniques. This would go along with Aurora’s CHANGE initiative which showed that training and de-escalation are of critical importance to our officers, as well as the community we serve.
cc: Finance Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution authorizing the City of Aurora to purchase the Apex Officer virtual simulator for the Training Division of the Aurora Police Department (APD) for an amount not to exceed $62,500.00.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the Aurora Police Department has a current simulator which is inoperable and out of date. Apex Officer blends randomization, artificial intelligence and voice recognition which provides an infinite number of training opportunities and scenarios. This is the future for law enforcement training and would take the Aurora Police Department’s training to the next level. If we make the purchase, the City will save $55,368.00 for being the first agency in Illinois to have this technology.
WHEREAS, a proposal has been sent to the Aurora Police Department for review and signature. The document from Apex Officer outlines the company as a sole source provider and comes with a 12-month warranty. Apex Officer includes an Instructor/ Operator course covering hardware setup, all software updates, and trouble shooting.
WHEREAS, approval for this purchase will allow Aurora Police Officers use to have more realistic training opportunities. Training reduces the possibilities of excessive force claims as well as law suites. Training also reduces injuries to officers and suspects.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: That the Director of Purchasing is authorized to sign an agreement for the purchase Apex Officer Training Simulator from GOVRED Technology, Inc. to enhance the quality of training for the Aurora Police Department at the not to exceed cost of $62,500.00.