Page 18 - Coespu 2018-3

The importance of Computer Assisted Exercises in Police

Peacekeeping Training

- The CoESPU’s CPX area “MaGISTrA” -

By Lt.Col. Paolo DI PIAZZA
Computer Assisted eXercises
(CAXs), especially in the
form of Command Post
eXercises (CPXs), have been
employed by CoESPU since
2009 within several GPOI
courses as well as during
other training activities
carried out in this Center of
Excellence. The CPX
provides a precious didactical
tool, as it can force the
trainees to confront
themselves with problem-
solving exercises of various
level of difficulty and inspired by lessons learned from mission areas, to work within the framework
of UN doctrine, and to operate inside a large and complexly structured organization composed of
partners coming from several different countries and cultures.
Such remarkable was the impact of this type of training activities that, in 2016, the Carabinieri
Corps decided to set-up in CoESPU a new dedicated environment for CAXs (previously hosted
inside a room equipped with computers, panels and flip-charts), with the construction of the
MaGISTrA, completed in March 2017. The name “MaGISTrA” comes from the Latin term
magister, which means “Teacher”, “Maestro”, and with such an idea it has been used in this context
as an acronym for “Modelling and
Gaming Information Simulation
Training Area”. The shape,
structure and technological
equipment of this new area have
been carefully designed basing on
the experiences gained during the
previous exercises. In particular,
MaGISTrA, realized over a surface
of 450 m2, is composed of different
rooms, each hosting specific
equipment and serving specific
purposes.
0These are:

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