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SPI Training Research and Innovative Simulation Center

Evidence based training. Immersive scenarios. Improvement through research.

What is SPI TRAINS?

The Southern Police Institute’s Center for Training, Research & Innovative Simulation (SPI TRAINS) helps agencies improve performance in situations ranging from specialized investigations to daily officer interactions. At SPI TRAINS, our goal is simple: we provide training and research that improve real-world outcomes.

SPI TRAINS was launched with the generous support of the J. Allen Lamb & Edward S. Pocock III Foundation, whose foundational gift made it possible to build a center dedicated to evidence-based training and applied research in policing.

The center was built through a partnership between a University of Louisville policing researcher, a theatre arts professor, and practitioners who needed immersive scenarios that bring training material to life. Together, we create evidence-based training instruction paired with realistic scenarios where officers practice skills, receive feedback, and build confidence before returning to the field.

SPI TRAINS classes are evidence-based, evaluated regularly, and can be tailored to your agency’s needs.

Interested in a partnership? Work with us!

What Does SPI TRAINS do?

SPI TRAINS can help your agency in three primary ways:

Training

We deliver and adapt training that prepares your personnel for real encounters, not just classroom knowledge.
Research and evaluation

We design rigorous research evaluations that help agencies understand whether training and policy changes work in the field.
Innovative simulation

We bring realistic scenarios directly into your training programs.