Effort to "train law enforcement so they're better:" Hollywood helps with high-tech training course



PEWAUKEE -- Police officers and other first responders are expected to know what to do in stressful situations and life-and-death scenarios. Brian Dorow, who instructs those studying to become first responders at Waukesha County Technical College, is working to build a high-tech training course in Pewaukee.

Brian Dorow - High-tech training for first responders in Pewaukee



Inside an unassuming building in Pewaukee are the kinds of sounds Brian Dorow heard on the street when he was a police officer in Waukesha.

"I've been thinking about this for the better part of five years," Dorow said.

As an instructor at Waukesha County Technical College, he's turning his dream into a reality. He's building a training course for first responders that will be as real as it gets.

Over the past couple of years, Dorow has traveled to Hollywood six times to develop an interactive police training course that will put an officer inside a realistic, dynamic, changing environment.

Brian Dorow - High-tech training for first responders in Pewaukee



"They are immersed in it -- psychologically, mentally, physiologically, their body. Certainly when you're here, your heart starts beating differently. You have to control that. You start thinking differently in a stressful situation," Dorow said.

A surround sound system with dozens of sound effects was just installed in the building in Pewaukee.

"I had one of Hollywood's top sound producers, Ezra came in about a month-and-a-half ago and I've been working with him to develop this," Dorow said. "I've been out to Hollywood, met some good contacts there, that have invited me into watching movies -- Sony Studios, Warner Brothers Studios and meeting with sound producers and the wheels start turning."

Brian Dorow - High-tech training for first responders in Pewaukee



In January, a computerized system with 600 movie scenarios that could be projected will be added. Virtual characters will speak to officers in training.

"So what we'll do is, depending on different areas, we are going to peel back part of it or maybe put a green screen or regular screen and have a scenario play out," Dorow said.

Instructors with iPads will be able to change the outcome of each police scenario, depending on the officers' responses.

"Remember -- you don't know what's going on here, but you possibly have all these open areas that could be threats. Now you've got to look: What's going on? What's my open area? Where are my threats?" Dorow said.

When it's complete in about a year-and-a-half, no two visits by training first responders will ever be the same.

Brian Dorow - High-tech training for first responders in Pewaukee



Dorow says with this dream, there is one goal.

"Train law enforcement so they're better, they're more efficient, they're more effective. They've been presented with dangerous situations, so they do a better job. The end result is a safer community," Dorow said.

The new training course is slowly becoming a reality through private fundraising.

Brian Dorow - High-tech training for first responders in Pewaukee



WCTC students help make the structures, and the school is making some contributions to this project.

Dorow says those in the motion picture industry have been supportive, offering ideas and low-cost help.

Officers will wear cameras to record their training, so they can also review and improve.