The jacksonville police department seeks safer outcomes funding to implement an immersive VR training program focused on DE-escalation, crisis response, disability awareness, and service referrals

The Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services awarded the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas $207,136 on October 1, 2025, under the Public Safety Partnership and Community Policing Grants program (CFDA 16.710) to implement an immersive virtual reality training program for law enforcement officers.

The Jacksonville Police Department will deploy the VR system to deliver a minimum of 8 hours of annual training per officer focused on de-escalation, crisis response, disability awareness, and service referrals. The program is designed to strengthen officer decision-making, reduce use-of-force incidents, and improve outcomes in behavioral health emergencies. The city will partner with local organizations to align training content with community needs.

Period of performance runs from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027, with all work performed in Jacksonville, Arkansas.

The project will strengthen officer decision-making, reduce use-of-force incidents, and improve outcomes in behavioral health emergencies. JPD will partner with local organizations to align training with community needs. All officers will complete a minimum 8 hours of training annually using the virtual reality system.