Discover how John Born, a veteran public safety leader, is transforming law enforcement training through immersive virtual reality experiences at Ohio University. Learn about the collaborative efforts, innovative approaches, and impact of experiential learning on officer safety, trust-building, and community relations. Main Topics:

• The role of innovation within structured public safety organizations
• How cinematic virtual reality enhances law enforcement training
• Building trust and soft skills such as empathy through immersive experiences
• Collaborations across university and public service sectors
• The future of experiential learning and its broader applications in education

Key Insights:

• A crisis is a turning point balancing risk and opportunity; preparation and practice tip the scale
• Innovation often originates from the ground up, driven by employees and frontline workers
• Simple, cost-effective ideas, such as green windshield tags, can significantly improve officer safety
• Virtual reality reduces training time from hours to minutes while improving retention and realism
• High-quality storytelling and collaboration with professionals create immersive, impactful experiences
• Virtual reality builds empathy, soft skills, and trust, which are crucial for community safety and engagement
• Universities are uniquely positioned to lead scalable, research-based innovation in public safety training

Resources & Links:

• Ohio University Grid Lab
• Ohio 360 Initiative
• Scripps College of Communication

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