The Virtual Reality Consortium for Training Development for Law Enforcement

The Florida State University-VR Consortium, in collaboration with the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), will develop an immersive, scalable Virtual Reality (VR) platform for police de-escalation training. The primary objective is to enhance an existing VR training platform with realistic scenarios that involves input from experts in VR, law enforcement training, and behavioral health, and policing and community stakeholders. This collaborative approach will ensure the development of a de-escalation-focused training program that aligns with existing training resources, evidence-based practices, and the needs of both law enforcement and the community. Key project activities include conducting a needs assessment, enhancing an existing VR platform with emerging technology, creating model policies and procedures for VR de-escalation training, developing transferable and scalable training for diverse agencies and situations, piloting the training sessions with selected law enforcement agencies, and dissemination of a VR training guidebook. Milestones of the proposed project include development of the VR de-escalation training, a pilot test of the training, and collection of input and participation from diverse experts within the field. The intended beneficiaries of this project are law enforcement agencies seeking to augment their evidence-based de-escalation training. This award is being closed as an administrative funding adjustment and the award activities will be completed under award 15PBJA-23-AK-06160-VIRT.