MPRI Announces the Sale of Three Driver Simulators to California’s Fairfield Police Department

 

High-tech simulators complement the state’s largest, most advanced indoor officer training facility

 

ALEXANDRIA, Va.,  and FAIRFIELD, Calif. -- July 28, 2008 -- MPRI, a global leader in vehicle simulator products, services and turnkey training facilities, today announced that California’s Fairfield Police Department has purchased three PatrolSim IV driver training simulators, which will be housed in the department’s brand new, state-of-the-art training facility.

 

“We sought best-in-breed solutions for every aspect of our facility in order to raise the bar for training among peace officers here and across the state,” said Captain Rick Leonardini, Fairfield Police Department. “After a thorough search, only MPRI’s PatrolSim IV met our criteria for the training experience we envisioned. We purchased three of them so officers can train both independently and in tandem as part of a chase sequence comprised of a lead car, secondary car and supervisor. And the PatrolSim IV works with our use-of-force simulator, which is an important way for us to maximize the benefits of this technology.”

 

Each PatrolSim IV enables Fairfield officers to practice tactical driving skills in a life-like yet completely risk-free environment, without incurring expenses for gas. The simulators feature three high-resolution plasma display panels, a cruiser seat, steering wheel and standard dash to provide unmatched driving realism. Instructors navigate trainees through scenarios like traffic stops, pursuits and emergency responses via a touch screen, exposing them to various driving conditions and maneuvers in a single session.

 

“Fairfield PD is taking a real leadership position by incorporating three networked driver simulators into its one-of-a-kind facility and curriculum,” said Richard Gerding, senior vice president and general manager, Simulations Group, MPRI. “Its officers will be among the best trained in the state, and the citizens of Fairfield will be safer and better served as a result.”

 

The 39,000-square-foot Fairfield Police/Art Koch Training Facility, which opened in April, is the largest and most advanced indoor center of its kind in the state. In addition to the simulator center, it features a 20-lane, 25-yard pistol range; a six-lane, 100-yard rifle range; a 3,200-square-foot mat room for weaponless defense training; classrooms that accommodate up to 75 students; and a 20-seat conference room. The facility is named for Art Koch, the only Fairfield PD law enforcement officer to die in the line of duty. Koch was actively involved in advancing the training of the force during his tenure there. 

 

All of the department’s 135 officers will be trained at the center on an ongoing basis, and the department will welcome other California agencies to use the facility as well. Fairfield PD is engaging in a certification process with the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (CAL POST), which recognizes achievement in education, training and experience. Most training currently conducted by Fairfield PD is POST-certified.

 

About MPRI

Headquartered in Alexandria , Virginia , MPRI provides comprehensive and integrated programs that address training, education, leader development, organizational design and implementation, simulations, democracy transition, and emergency management across a broad spectrum of functional areas. Its customers include the Department of Defense, Department of Justice and select international government agencies.

 

Learn more about MPRI at www.mpri.com.

 

Headquartered in New York City, L-3 Communications employs over 64,000 people worldwide and is a prime contractor in aircraft modernization and maintenance, C³ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) systems and government services.  L-3 is also a leading provider of high technology products, subsystems and systems.  The company reported 2007 sales of $14 billion.

 

To learn more about L-3, please visit the company’s web site at www.L-3Com.com. 

 

 

# # #