The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) relies on its Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) to solve some of the nation’s toughest challenges. As DHS’s systems engineering FFRDC, the Homeland Security Systems Engineering and Development Institute (HSSEDI) has a deep understanding of the DHS mission and can provide specialized independent and objective technical and systems engineering expertise to the operational Components and greater homeland security enterprise. HSSEDI utilizes a wide suite of subject matter experts and capabilities to bring forth innovative solutions. One such solution—the simulation experiment (SIMEX).
SIMEX is a human-in-the-loop experiment environment that places real operators in operationally realistic environments to enable the investigation of new concepts, technologies, platforms, systems, tactics, techniques, and procedures.
These experiments are based on realistic scenarios and developed collaboratively with stakeholders. Over 75 SIMEXs have been performed for federal sponsors across the federal government since 2001. For the DHS specifically, these include topics such as border security, counter-unmanned aerial system operations, public school safety, law enforcement (LE) use of force (UoF), and National Capital Region security.
Law Enforcement Use of Force SIMEX
In April 2021 HSSEDI, sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office for State and Local Law Enforcement (OSLLE) and at the request of nation-wide law enforcement agencies, conducted the Law Enforcement Use of Force (LE UoF) Simulation Experiment (SIMEX 21-3). The goal was to provide evidence-based data and recommendations to the law enforcement community of practice that would support the deterrence and reduction of arrest-related fatalities and injuries due to applied force by officers. For the recommendations, results, and more information on SIMEX 21-3, please visit SIMEX 21-3 Resources.
For a copy of the SIMEX 21-3 Final Report, which provides an overview of the experimental design, data analysis, conclusions, and recommendations, please contact hssedisimex@hq.dhs.gov.