With police departments across the country working on de-escalation techniques, in an effort to reduce officer involved shootings, one company has come up with a high tech device that could help.
It's a Virtual Reality Simulator from Axon, a company that makes body cameras and dashboard cameras for police. Thanks to the immersive nature of the simulator, which can supercharge memory and empathy, officers are trained to handle tense situations in a more empathic way.
Luke Larson with Axon says the virtual reality modules can show a scenario playing out from two perspectives - one is the perspective of the officer responding to the call, and the other is the perspective of the community member experiencing the distress.
He explains this is vitally important, because it teaches empathy, and empathy is the best way to achieve a mutually beneficial outcome and increase public safety.