THE METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE (MCC) PROPOSAL SEEKS $95,000 IN FUNDING FROM THE COPS OFFICE SAFER OUTCOMES GRANT PROGRAM TO IMPLEMENT AN INNOVATIVE VIRTUAL REALITY (VR) TRAINING PROGRAM FOCUSED ON DE-ESCALATION, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CRISIS RESPONSE, AND OFFICER WELLNESS FOR CAMPUS LAW ENFORCEMENT. BY INTEGRATING SCENARIO-BASED VR SIMULATIONS INTO ANNUAL OFFICER TRAINING, THE PROGRAM AIMS TO ENHANCE DECISION-MAKING IN HIGH-STRESS ENCOUNTERS, BUILD TRAUMA-INFORMED RESPONSE CAPACITY, AND STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY-POLICE TRUST ON MCC CAMPUSES. THE MCC CAMPUS POLICE OFFICERS ARE FIRST RESPONDERS TO A WIDE RANGE OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH INCIDENTS INCLUDING SUICIDE THREATS, SUBSTANCE USE CRISES, AND MENTAL HEALTH EMERGENCIES. THESE SITUATIONS REQUIRE SPLIT-SECOND JUDGMENT, EMPATHY, AND TRAUMA-INFORMED TACTICS. YET, TRADITIONAL TRAINING OFTEN LACKS THE REALISM OR FREQUENCY TO EFFECTIVELY BUILD AND REINFORCE THESE CRITICAL SKILLS. THIS PROPOSAL SEEKS TO ADDRESS THIS NEED.