Through the eyes of the officer: Using immersive virtual reality to foster civilian empathy for police-decision making

TaJeamah Anderson

Co-Presenters: Individual Presentation

College: College of Business and Public Management

Major: BA.CRIMINALJUSTICE

Faculty Research Mentor: Thomas, Amanda  

Abstract:

Virtual reality (VR) technology has advanced significantly in recent years, becoming more realistic, accessible, and user-friendly. Increasingly, the use of VR in law enforcement contexts is growing, specifically in training for police officers. This exploratory study investigates the potential of VR as a tool to enhance public understanding of the challenges faced by law enforcement by allowing Kean University Criminal Justice students to immerse themselves in simulated policing scenarios.Specifically, this project will examine whether participating in VR-based police-citizen interactions, which would feature the inclusion of high-pressure, time-sensitive decisions, could heighten students’ awareness of the stress and complexity inherent in officers’ split-second judgments. By enabling participants to experience these situations firsthand, the study seeks to promote greater empathy toward local law enforcement, reduce harsh judgments stemming from limited understanding, and reframe perceptions of officers as individuals performing a demanding role to protect and serve, rather than as adversaries.An ongoing initiative at Kean University is developing VR environments for student engagement, incorporating a mixed-methods approach and scenarios such as breakout situations, controlled ranges, and realistic policing encounters. Preliminary implementation highlights the value of experiential learning in bridging the gap between student perspectives and the realities of policing.This exploratory work underscores the promise of VR for student education and empathy-building in police-community relations. Future research will assess this within a larger community setting and include participant outcomes through qualitative feedback, pre- and post-immersion surveys, or other measures to evaluate shifts in empathy, stress perception, and attitudes toward law enforcement.