Strengths and Challenges of Virtual Reality Training for Operational Police Practice

Virtual Reality (VR) training has distinct characteristics compared to real-life training. While VR offers flexible scenario design and fast repetitions of scenarios, real-life training allows for higher levels of physical training activity (i.e., running, quick movements). Police officers experience similar psychological stress responses in real-life and VR training, which makes VR a suitable tool to use for the training of psychologically demanding tasks (e.g., room clearance scenarios, domestic disputes, etc.). When training in VR, police officers invest more mental effort than during real-life training. To train effectively in VR, the training design should include a sufficient familiarization period where officers can explore the VR tools and the virtual environment before starting the VR training scenarios.