The city of fort worth police department (fwpd) project includes purchasing virtual reality-based equipment to enhance DE-escalation training; establishing a research and community partnership to…

The Bureau of Justice Assistance awarded the City of Fort Worth Police Department (FWPD) a $758,653 grant under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program (CFDA 16.738) to enhance de-escalation training. The key objectives include:

• Purchasing virtual reality-based equipment to improve de-escalation training for FWPD officers
• Establishing a research and community partnership to develop, assess, and evaluate the de-escalation training curriculum
• Implementing the training for officers, advocates, and the community
• Conducting after-action reviews to evaluate the training's impact

The project aims to develop a multidisciplinary team, produce a written evaluation, and reduce use-of-force incidents and complaints against officers. A sub-award of an undisclosed amount was provided to the University of Texas at Arlington to support the virtual reality-based de-escalation training program.

The city of fort worth police department (fwpd) project includes purchasing virtual reality-based equipment to enhance DE-escalation training; establishing a research and community partnership to assist in developing, assessing, and evaluating a training curriculum; implementing the training curriculum to officers, advocates, and the community; and conducting after-action reviews by training participants. Expected outcomes include the development of a multidisciplinary team, a written evaluation, and reduction in use-of-force incidents and complaints against officers.