Implementation of a virtual reality de-escalation training curriculum focused on skill-building and community trust

This proposal lays out a plan for the implementation of a virtual reality (VR)-based de-escalation training tool as part of a comprehensive training program for law enforcement officers within the University of North Carolina at Greensboro Police Department (UNCG PD) and the Greensboro Police Department (GPD). To accomplish this goal, the project will extend the capabilities of the NextGen Interactions NextGenVR Development Platform, tailored for immersive de-escalation training and allowing multirole, multiuser interaction, and thorough after-action reviews. The focus of the training tool will be to improve interactions of officers responding to individuals in crisis situations, including those experiencing mental health challenges or substance abuse. An interdisciplinary team spanning human-centered computing research, mental health expertise, crisis management, and community engagement will collaborate to design a de-escalation curriculum that is state-of-the-art and complements existing training initiatives. The effectiveness of the tool will be meticulously assessed, measuring its impact on boosting officer de-escalation competencies, attitude transformation towards de-escalation strategies, and influence on community perception of law enforcement.