SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Sept. 17, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Axon (Nasdaq:
AAXN), the global leader in connected public safety technologies,
today announced Axon's new empathy development training for suicide
prevention, based in virtual reality. This training has been
developed specifically for law enforcement agencies and is
available via Axon Academy, a network of online and in-person
training for law enforcement. The training will be made available
to agencies in recognition of World Suicide Prevention Month 2019,
and is the third scenario offered to agencies following the
previously announced autism and schizophrenia empathy-based
training. Axon's VR training is designed to better equip officers
with the tools to de-escalate situations involving people suffering
from mental health issues, crises or psychotic episodes. To learn
more visit www.axon.com/training/vr-training.
The National Institute of Mental Health estimates one in five
Americans will be affected by mental illness in any given year. Out
of the 992 deadly police shootings in 2018, 213 of those shot and
killed suffered from a mental illness. Axon's VR training is
designed to address these statistics head-on.
"This program was designed to help officers develop empathy and
confidence in their work as first responders for individuals in
crisis," says Laura Brown, Axon Sr.
Director of Training. "We are proud to support officers who are too
frequently the last line of hope for individuals experiencing
suicidal ideations."
Axon's VR technology provides officers with an immersive
training experience where trainees can put themselves in the shoes
of both the officer responding to the scene and the person in
crisis. Axon worked closely with a team of subject matter experts
to develop the scenario including members of Blue H.E.L.P., an
organization dedicated to bringing awareness to law enforcement
suicide and mental health issues.
"We can't emphasize enough the importance of bringing suicide
awareness training to law enforcement," says Nick Greco, Blue H.E.L.P. Board Member. "Axon's
VR Technology provides officers with an additional training tool to
reinforce the principles and techniques of Crisis Intervention Team
(CIT) Training."
Axon selected Mesa Dynamic to combine immersive media technology
and interactive storytelling to produce this state-of-the-art
training experience.Axon's empathy development training is
currently available to customers of Axon's Officer Safety Plan 7+.
For more information on the program or to contact the team, please
visit www.axon.com/training/vr-training.
About Axon
Axon is a global network of devices, apps, training and people
that helps public safety personnel become smarter and safer. With a
mission of protecting life, our technologies give customers the
confidence, focus and time they need to protect their communities.
Our products impact every aspect of a public safety officer's
day-to-day experience.
We work hard for those who put themselves in harm's way for all
of us. To date, there are more than 397,800 software seats booked
on the Axon network around the world and more than 221,000 lives
have been saved with the Axon network of devices, apps, training
and people. Learn more at www.axon.com or by calling (800)
978-2737.
Facebook is a trademark of Facebook, Inc., and Twitter is a
trademark of Twitter, Inc. Axon, Axon Academy and the Delta Logo
are trademarks of Axon Enterprise, Inc., some of which are
registered in the US and other countries. For more information,
visit www.axon.com/legal. All rights reserved.
Follow Axon here:
- Axon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/axon_us
- Axon on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Axon.ProtectLife/
About Mesa Dynamic
Mesa Dynamic is pioneering the combination of state of the art
immersive technology and interactive storytelling to create
full-scale XR training solutions. Based in Los Angeles, CA, Mesa Dynamic works with
private corporations, non-profit organizations and first responders
to deliver custom training modules that help accelerate the speed
of learning and achieve better overall outcomes.
Note to Investors
Please visit http://investor.axon.com,
https://www.axon.com/press, www.twitter.com/axon_us and
https://www.facebook.com/Axon.ProtectLife/ where Axon discloses
information about the company, its financial information and its
business.
CONTACT:
Carley Partridge
Axon PR and Communications Manager
Press@Axon.com
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SOURCE Axon