Adopting Virtual Reality

Can we all benefit from superpowers?

Adopting Virtual Reality

Abstract

In recent years, Virtual Reality (VR) has rapidly evolved from a niche innovation into a transformative tool across various sectors, including security and law enforcement training. This article explores the growing relevance and potential of VR as an educational medium, focusing on its immersive capabilities—both passive and active—and their impact on experiential learning. By simulating realistic, high-risk scenarios, VR enables trainees, such as members of Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs), to safely practice decision-making and reaction in critical situations. The advantages of VR training include enhanced performance, reduced costs, higher learner engagement, and the ability to collect physiological and behavioral data for real-time feedback and process improvement. The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated the adoption of VR by highlighting the need for remote, scalable, and effective training solutions. While still in an early adoption phase within the security sector, VR shows strong potential for improving preparedness, safety, and operational efficiency. The article concludes by highlighting the need for continued empirical research and encourages organisations to strategically integrate VR into their training frameworks to maximise its benefits.

November, 13 2020.
Judicial Cooperation

Author

Serena Bianchi

Project Manager and Junior Researcher
Agenfor International Foundation

Serena Bianchi is project manager and junior researcher for several EU-funded projects related to security matters. She studied at the University of Vienna, where she developed know-how, competences and skills in Jewish and Middle East Studies. In 2016 she worked in Iraq as volunteer in various refugee camps to support minorities and children escaped from ISIS. She is fluent in Italian, German, English, and has basic knowledge of Hebrew and Arabic. During 2015, she cooperated within the EU funded project ISDEP for the London Metropolitan Police and contributed to the organisation into the online campus, while from 2016 she is working on several EU-funded projects, focusing on (online) radicalisation, organized crime (OC) and terrorist network (TN) within Europe.