Select Board approves $40,000 year‑end transfer for police virtual‑reality trainer, citing de‑escalation benefits

The Westport Select Board on June 22 approved a $40,000 year‑end transfer from police personnel to police expenses to purchase a virtual‑reality (VR) training system the department said will improve de‑escalation and firearms judgment training.

Deputy Chief Rebella described the 180° VR system as a scenario trainer that does not require goggles, includes CO2 recoil on firearms simulators, records results for playback and assessment, and can run stress‑inoculation exercises. "This allows us to train scenarios," Rebella said, noting the system helps rehearse use‑of‑force judgment and mental‑health response. Chief Christopher Dunn said the purchase was viable because Senator Rogers had secured an earmark covering approximately 70% of the total cost. The board voted to approve the transfer and proceed with acquisition (4–0, 1 absent).

Town staff said the system could be shared with neighboring departments for regional training when a town trainer is available. The funding move re‑allocates monies previously approved for personnel salaries to equipment expense within the current fiscal year and does not increase the town’s net appropriation.

What happens next: The department will accept delivery and schedule officer training; the town administrator and police staff will finalize procurement paperwork and confirm the application of the state earmark.