STARS – the Situational Training and Response Simulator – has opened in the building that previously housed the Monmouth County juvenile detention center.
The former detention center on Dutch Lane Road, Freehold Township, has been transformed into a state-of-the-art training facility for law enforcement personnel. County officials cut a ribbon on June 14 to mark the official opening of the facility.
STARS allows first responders to train in virtual real world scenarios with the most innovative technological equipment, including the VirTra simulator.
“The VirTra simulator [is] designed to engage [first responders] in real life situations where judgement decisions have to be made,” Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden said during a tour of the facility.
“It will provide those first responders with an opportunity to train in de-escalating a situation and help address homeland security issues, counter-terrorism efforts and public safety challenges,” Golden said.
STARS contains six training simulations:
• The VirTra simulator, which provides more than 100 scenarios with different outcomes and 300 degrees of situation awareness
• The Correctional Training Unit, focusing on jail cell extraction drills
• The K-9 agility course, where service dogs are trained
• An active shooter school shooting scenario, training in extraction during active shooter incidents
• A Domestic Violence Response Training Unit, training personnel to respond to crimes in a residence
• The EMS/Triage Training Unit, which includes the rescue task force of three trained medics and four law enforcement officers.
“This is a great day for our first responders who will now receive some of the highest level of training in the country,” Monmouth County Freeholder Director Lillian G. Burry said.
County officials said the simulators will supplement the training that is currently provided to law enforcement officers, sharpen their decision-making skills and prepare them for situations they may face in the field.
“This is a well planned facility, since the training is aimed at preparing the officer and protecting the public. The risk will be simulated, but the benefits will be real,” said Spring Lake Police Chief Edward Kerr, who serves as president of the Monmouth County Police Chiefs Association.
Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni thanked the Board of Freeholders for making STARS possible and said, “This takes dedication, commitment and money and that is where the freeholders come in. The freeholders had the foresight and vision to be innovative in law enforcement. It is very unique in this state.”
“It is a result of proactive thinking to bring the latest technology and training opportunities to law enforcement,” Burry said, adding that the freeholders are grateful for the new opportunities offered by the creation of the training center.
