Malmö University will receive 4.8 million SEK (around 416,000 euros) to create a research environment that will develop training programmes, methods and knowledge that contribute to safer police emergency drivers.

The most common cause of death for police officers in the line of duty is traffic accidents, and in 2020 the cost of damage to police vehicles totalled 100 million SEK. Both speeding and risky pursuits are also becoming more common as fewer cars are stopping at police stops. Traditionally, police driver training has been conducted solely in a real police car, but driving in hazardous environments is resource-intensive. Only a small proportion of police officers have undergone practical training, and even fewer have the opportunity to train on a regular basis in hazardous duty activities.

We see great benefits in supplementing teaching in cars with simulator-based teaching, both in terms of pedagogy and resources...

Martin Larsson

Simulators are used as a pedagogical tool in several other training programmes involving driving skills and the police training programme at Malmö University is the first in the Nordic region to offer simulator training. In the undergraduate programme, simulators have been tested in parallel with research to determine whether they can complement the teaching of driving in traffic. The results clearly showed that it did not matter which way the students were taught, via simulator or police car.

"We see great benefits in supplementing teaching in cars with simulator-based teaching, both in terms of pedagogy and resources, both human and financial," says Martin Larsson, a police officer and teacher at the police training programme.

The money will be used to establish a research environment where further research on driving simulators in police training can be carried out. The donation will also finance new purchases and maintenance of simulators and software development.

“The more complex the exercises to be performed, the more realistic the simulators need to be. This money allows us to invest in high-fidelity simulators in terms of motion platform, VR, authentic chair and steering wheel. Similar training is used by racing drivers, so we believe this can make a difference," says associate professor Caroline Mellgren.

The simulators will be used in basic police training, as well as in other subjects where students practice different types of interventions integrated with driving and the use of radio and tactical communications.

“It is not only the police but also other blue light organisations that have realised the benefits of training in a safe environment in order to act safer and better in real situations. The ambulance service in Stockholm has acquired similar simulators for driving training. They have contacted us to come here and have a look," says Martin Larson.

The training will be developed in collaboration with the Swedish Police Authority, and professional police officers will have the opportunity for further training and safe mass training on difficult, risky and costly manoeuvres with Malmö University's simulators, to promote lifelong learning and keep their knowledge fresh.

Text: Hanna Svederborn

Text: Communications Department