2.21 Evaluation of Virtual Reality as an effective learning tool to enhance police training in child protection

Academic team: Dr Oli Howson (Computing and Communication, OU), Dr Elke Loeffler (CPRL, OU), Dr Clare Rawdin (CPRL, OU)
Policing partners: Cheshire Constabulary
Status: In progress

Glasgow

The use of Virtual Reality (and, in particular, immersive 360 Video Technologies) in police training is gaining increased interest, as they help to modernise police training and appear particularly suited to support police officers in learning to address and prevent harm from specific vulnerabilities. To date, approximately 1,200 officers and staff have participated in VR training in Cheshire Constabulary, with a particular focus on child protection issues. The purpose of this research project is to evaluate the effectiveness of the use of immersive videos in Cheshire Constabulary's training programmes related to child protection issues. The evaluation will also analyse to what extent the new training offer of Chesire Constabulary is more inclusive through supporting learning styles relevant to both neurotypical and neurodiverse people.

By undertaking this research project, CPRL would develop an evidence-based evaluation tool collaboratively with Cheshire Constabulary, which would be used to assess learning experiences with VR technology in the context of child protection, and which could then also be used by other CPRL members. The empirical research with Cheshire Constabulary will provide police forces with evidence to understand in which contexts and for which group of learners this training technology is likely to be most effective and what kind of support needs to be put in place to make the use of Virtual Relaity in training most effective.

Interested CPRL members are invited to join a 'critical friends' group, which will provide inputs to the research project through a small number of brief online meetings.