The tampa police department (TPD) will procure a customized, multiparticipant, fully immersive, virtual reality-based (VR) training technology

The Tampa Police Department (TPD) was awarded a $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 enable TPD to procure a customized, multi-participant, fully immersive virtual reality (VR)-based training technology. The VR system will provide scenario-based training for officers on crisis intervention, de-escalation, use of force, and report writing. The VR training will focus on effective de-escalation when responding to individuals in crisis, including those with physical, intellectual, cognitive, mental health, or substance use challenges. TPD will work with the vendor, the City of Tampa, to develop and review the training curriculum, format, and reality-based scenarios. The VR system will be utilized during TPD's community investment academies to reinforce de-escalation skills. The goal is for the VR training curriculum and system to be replicated by other jurisdictions nationwide.

The VR technology will include crisis intervention, DE-escalation, use of force, and report writing training. TPD will work with the vendor to develop and review the training curriculum, format, and reality-based scenarios. The VR training system will be customized to offer immersive simulations, placing officers in DE-escalation scenarios without exposure to risks. The system will be utilized during community investments academies, such as the citizen academy, corporate academy, youth academy, post explorers, and leadership tampa. The VR system will provide officers with scenario-based training exercises to practice and reinforce skills learned through the DE-escalation training. The VR program will utilize a customized, fully immersive training platform and curriculum that will improve training capacity and delivery. The focus of the training will be effective DE-escalation while responding to individuals in crisis, including people with physical, intellectual, and cognitive disabilities, and individuals experiencing a mental health and/or substance use crisis. The curriculum will include aspects of the bureau of justice assistance crisis response and intervention training. TPD intends for the VR training curriculum and system to be replicated by other jurisdictions nationwide.