(Photo by Zachary Meseck)

NORWICH – Officers at the Norwich Police Department took part in virtual response training at the Norwich Police Station Tuesday.

Norwich Police Chief Rodney Marsh said the training was held at no cost to the police department. Part of the training involved a simulation using technology that put officers in real-life scenarios using verbal communications, non-lethal and lethal force.

“This is an interactive training that forces officers to make split second decisions,” said Marsh. “It was completely free, and they came to us which was a huge help considering our current staffing.”

Marsh said the officers trained on a virtual training system called FATS that delivers advanced functionality for both instructor and trainee, delivering solid weapon handling and shot placement analytics, marksmanship automatic coaching tools and enhanced graphic capabilities for an all-encompassing immersive training platform.