Dr. Regis Kopper, Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science, has been awarded a $800,000, 3-year grant from the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance. He will work with the Iowa State University Police Department and the city of Greensboro, North Carlonia. NextGen Interactions, an extended reality (XR) start-up from North Carolina, will be a partner in the project. Dr. Kopper’s team will create an effective, evidence-based VR training protocol focused on law enforcement de-escalation techniques.
The VR de-escalation tool will be developed through extending the capabilities of NextGen Interactions’ NextGenVR Development Platform, offering a development environment tailored for immersive de-escalation training with role-playing, multi-user interaction and thorough after-action reviews. Additionally, an interdisciplinary team, including human-centered computing researchers, mental health experts, and crisis management and community engagement professionals, will collaborate to design a de-escalation curriculum that complements existing training initiatives. As a result, the VR training protocol will help develop improved interactions between responding officers and members of the community in crisis situations, including in situations when the member(s) of the community have mental health challenges or are struggling with substance abuse.
This project will enhance law enforcement training at Iowa State University and beyond through evidence-based VR de-escalation protocols. By combining advanced technology with interdisciplinary expertise, the project aims to improve officer-community interactions, particularly in crisis situations, and strengthen public safety practices.