Fort Worth Police and UT Arlington partner on AI de-escalation training

The Fort Worth Police Department and the University of Texas at Arlington are partnering to implement AI-driven de-escalation training for officers. Supported by a Department of Justice grant titled the ‘Virtual Reality De-escalation Site-Based Initiative’, the program aims to supplement traditional role-playing exercises with a more scalable and unpredictable system.

The initiative, funded by a grant of over $750,000 awarded in October 2024, is scheduled to run through September 2027. Instead of using human role players following scripted scenarios, officers will use Meta Quest 3 headset systems to engage in one-hour training sessions. These sessions simulate various high-stress situations, such as domestic violence or mental health crises, allowing officers to practice communication skills and decision-making in a controlled, repeatable environment.

According to Officer Jorge Lopez, the instructor for the department, the goal is to provide realistic training that helps officers make better decisions under pressure, ultimately benefiting the community by reducing the need for the use of force during critical incidents.