Project Grant 15PBJA23GG06174NTCP

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) of Washington, D.C. received an $800,000 Project Grant from the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program (CFDA 16.738). The grant will fund the development of an evidence-based training program that utilizes virtual reality (VR) simulation technology to train officers in crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques, with a focus on interactions with individuals experiencing behavioral health or intellectual/developmental disorders.

The project activities will include procuring a VR simulation system, developing the training curriculum and VR scenarios in collaboration with research partners at the University of Virginia and The Lab @ DC, and incorporating input from a service provider for behavioral health and intellectual/developmental disability consumers. The training will be administered to all MPD patrol officers and sergeants, with instructors providing feedback using the VR system's after-action review capabilities. Expected outcomes include reductions in use of force incidents, citizen and officer injuries, citizen complaints, and disciplinary actions, as well as increased officer knowledge of de-escalation techniques and responding to crisis situations.