Virtual-Reality Attraction Coming to City Hall

Southern California’s latest virtual-reality attraction will open Tuesday in the basement of West Covina City Hall.

But this is no game world.

Police officers and some civilians will be able to engage in high-speed chases, learn to handle out-of-control vehicles and protect themselves against armed bank robbers.

The West Covina Police Department will open a state-of-the-art simulator training center, offering driving and shooting instruction, after several years of operating a smaller simulator in a nearby city parking garage for West Covina police officers and a few other agencies.

The department has hired a marketing consultant to promote the benefits of being able to learn how to handle a vehicle at high speeds without real danger. The center will be open to everyone from police officers to newly licensed high school students, officials said.

“This is whole new generation of simulators,” said City Manager Jim Starbird.

He said the opening of the facility to a wider group of users is just one example of a new philosophy in the city government to be more entrepreneurial. The facility will be open to the public and costs of the services will vary.