From virtual reality to non-projectile training systems, the Atlantic Police Academy is exploring how emerging technology can enhance proven training techniques.
By Laura Newcombe
Nestled in the small province of Prince Edward Island, the Atlantic Police Academy (APA) is bringing big ideas and technology together to create a groundbreaking training experience for learners.
Mike Rotsma, Inspector, APA, presented The Next Generation: Training Maritime Recruits with Cutting Edge Technology at the 2026 Canadian Police Knowledge Network (CPKN) Conference.
“I’m not here to scare anyone off, because we’ve had some tremendous successes with this technology,” Rotsma shared. “But there have been some challenges as well.”
APA is currently employing several different technologies to train police and public safety, such as virtual reality (VR), mixed/augmented reality (MR/AR), virtual firing ranges, and non-projectile force-on-force training systems.
A key advantage of APA’s VR system is that the user’s body serves as the controller, eliminating the need for a handheld device and reducing the risk of motion sickness. However, setup can be difficult because of calibration problems, focus issues, and technical glitches.
Rotsma highlighted the MR/AR system is flexible for what environment it’s used in. Instead of being limited to a 30 by 30 room, like VR is, it can be used across multiple rooms or even in outdoor environments since users are able to see their surroundings. APA has found this particularly useful for training they implement for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. One of the challenges APA has come across is the scenarios must be built by the instructor each time it is used.
APA are early adopters of integrating extended reality (XR) to police and public safety training. In 2025, CPKN released an XR white paper on how a limited number of Canadian police and public safety organizations were beginning to explore VR technology. The highlights and challenges Rotsma shared were in line with what was experienced across the country, but the APA’s current use of XR technology dives deeper into the possibilities of integration and the use of mixed and augmented reality in training.
The third technology Rotsma presented on is a virtual firing range for cadets to use before they operate with live fire, which provides an option with no ammo cost. There is, however, a large up-front fee to setting it up, and it does not replicate the experience for all the trainee’s five senses.
“I would be a loud voice against removing our firearms range to go fully virtual,” Rostma said. “There is a place for a virtual firing range, but it’s not replacing live fire. They need to know what recoil feels like, they need to know how sound changes things, they need to know their actual physics.”
CPKN is releasing a literature review this month highlighting police training research that further supports the use of technology to enhance instructor-led training. Like Rotsma, international researchers have cautioned that while XR technologies have many benefits, they should not be treated as a replacement for human judgement or live training.
The final technology Rostma featured is the non-projectile force-on-force training system, which includes a sensor vest, a laser pistol, and a shock/vibration belt. The APA uses the system for scenario-based training and will combine it with the MR/AR system and live actors. The system gives real pain feedback but has a vibration option for actors. A challenge Rotsma highlighted is it can be brittle for hands-on scenarios, and there is a large up-front cost.
While using technology has the opportunity to enhance police training, Rotsma encouraged everyone to consider what outcomes you’re looking to achieve and work backwards to decide what technology can help accomplish that.
“Side of the desk mentality for running technology does not work,” Rotsma cautioned. “If an instructor doesn’t use the equipment constantly, I promise you they will forget how to use it in its entirety.”
