This article is based on research conducted as a part of the CA POST Command College. It is a futures study of a particular emerging issue of relevance to law enforcement. Its purpose is not to predict the future; rather, to project a variety of possible scenarios useful for planning and action in anticipation of the emerging landscape facing policing organizations.
The article was created using the futures forecasting process of Command College and its outcomes. Managing the future means influencing it — creating, constraining and adapting to emerging trends and events in a way that optimizes the opportunities and minimizes the threats of relevance to the profession.
By Sabrina Reich
What destroys families, marriages and careers? Unaddressed trauma.
Unaddressed trauma can have profound and far-reaching effects on police officers’ careers and personal lives. The chronic stress and psychological burden carried by officers often spill over into work performance and beyond to their families, leading to alcohol and substance abuse, destructive behavior and relationship problems. [1]
What if we could stop this in its tracks? With innovative mental health programs and advances in technologies like virtual reality therapy (VRT), we may be on the brink of transforming how trauma is addressed in policing, offering new hope for officers and those who suffer with them.
Imagine 10 years in the future, an officer ends their shift, and an AI-enabled chatbot pops up on their heads-up car display to ask, “Hey, how are you doing? That was a tough shift. Wanna talk about it?” The chatbot can detect and analyze the officer’s body language and nonverbal cues and offers to connect them to peer support. Later at home, the officer hops on a department-issued virtual reality headset to run a custom scenario to relieve stress from one of the calls repeatedly replaying in his mind.
It is like a scene from a futuristic sci-fi movie, but it is a reality closer than you may think. Artificial intelligence (AI) and immersive virtual reality (VR) are teaming up to create customized virtual reality therapy (VRT). VRT has the potential to change the game of mental health care and could make this vision a reality.
The high cost of untreated trauma
The need to intervene to lessen the impacts of both chronic and acute trauma is highlighted by the mental health crisis in the U.S., where more than 23% of adults live with mental health disorders. [2] First responders in particular are at significant risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to job stressors and frequent exposure to traumatic events. [3] The reality of untreated chronic trauma may be most easily seen in the number of officers who take their own lives each year. In fact, 184 officers die by suicide each year on average, more than from any line-of-duty cause. [4,5] Suicide is only one part of a larger issue, making it essential for leaders to prioritize law enforcement mental health.
The roots of this crisis are entwined in a law enforcement culture that has long valued stoicism over vulnerability, where admitting to mental health struggles may be seen as a sign of weakness. [6] This mindset, coupled with the unique stressors of policing, has created a silent epidemic of untreated trauma. The rise of social media, widespread use of cell phone cameras and constant public scrutiny have only intensified the pressure, contributing to cumulative trauma as officers navigate increasingly complex and dangerous situations. Despite these challenges, systemic barriers have prevented officers from seeking help.
Confidentiality concerns, stigma and fears of career repercussions have made many officers reluctant to access mental health services. [5] Traditional employee assistance programs (EAPs) often lack specialized or “culturally competent” police resources to address the unique challenges of policing adequately, leading many officers to suffer in silence. As a result, the profession faces alarming rates of suicide, early retirements and a potential future where anxiety and post-traumatic stress drive officers away from the field altogether. Struggling officers who remain may face negative community interactions, eroding trust and increasing complaints, further aggravating their stress.
To fill gaps in EAPs, many departments use Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) debriefings to provide a safe forum for officers to freely discuss traumatic incidents in real time with peers rather than keeping their emotions bottled up. These debriefs are crucial for processing difficult experiences, but they often occur only after particularly severe incidents, leaving everyday stressors unaddressed. This stopgap, though, still falls short due to confidentiality concerns, access issues and limitations in addressing only critical incidents rather than accumulated trauma. Recognizing there is no one-size-fits-all approach to mental health, it is essential to offer a range of self-care options to address the diverse needs of employees. In this context, discreet and individualized virtual reality therapy emerges as a promising solution to bridge the gap.
Overcoming mental health barriers
Even as we have implemented CISM briefings and increased the availability of specialized mental health resources, fewer than 10%–20% of officers experiencing anxiety or depression seek help. [7] A police culture of self-reliance, stigma and concerns over confidentiality and potential job impacts can create barriers. Normalizing mental wellness and offering immediately accessible preventative services, such as VRT, could help officers manage stress before it escalates.
Addressing these barriers presents an opportunity for a much-needed culture change. Some states, such as California and Nevada, have begun mandating annual wellness checks. While Nevada has done this through legislative mandates, [8] California has taken a nonlegislative approach. In Northern California, the Redding Police Department (RPD) has already begun a mental health culture shift by implementing mandatory annual wellness checks in 2023. At these checks, all officers must meet with a specialized police therapist, but talking is voluntary. After nearly a year of the program, RPD Lieutenant Tim Renault said, “The checkups are going well — better than I could have hoped for. I have officers from all levels of time calling me to get appointments. Our biggest complaint is that an hour and 15 minutes with our chosen therapist is not long enough, and the officers want more time and more frequent visits.”
The wellness check, which aims to normalize mental health self-care, presents opportunities for officers to learn about resources, get resilience training and reduce the stigma of seeking help. Mental health interventions and training also equip officers to effectively handle police-related stress and trauma, improving their overall well-being and health. When combined with peer support, these wellness options build a culture of care and increase officers’ willingness to seek help. [9] Although measuring the impacts of the checks is difficult, Renault said the biggest change has been removing the stigma of going to a therapist now that everyone does it. This program has also reduced the barrier to scheduling follow-up sessions if needed.
RPD Officer Josh Tracy agreed, saying, “As an officer who has experienced multiple critical incidents, attending the wellness check wasn’t an issue for me – I’ve been through it before and knew how these interactions with therapists work. I will say, our department leaders did an excellent job rigorously searching for the ‘right fit’ therapist, and I believe they chose well.” According to Tracy, initial concerns of the Redding Peace Officers’ Association (POA), for which he serves as first vice president, about being “forced” into well-checks were alleviated when officers learned they would attend on duty and did not have to talk if they did not want to. An essential aspect of the program is that department leaders also led by example: Management and supervisory staff participated alongside officers, further cementing trust in the process.
Other agencies, such as the San Mateo Police Department (SMPD), are following suit. Earlier this year, SMPD implemented mandatory on-duty 30-minute wellness check-ins. Rory McMilton, a 24-year police veteran and SMPD POA representative, said, “Our department had trouble intervening when people were struggling, so the POA was on board and understood the need to provide more mental health services.
“The main goal was to change the department culture and make it OK to get help or get your partner some help,” McMilton added. The sessions are confidential, and the department can only access aggregated data, such as the total number of hours used per month, ensuring individual privacy is maintained. McMilton noted there were initial hesitations and slow uptake; however, the number of sessions each month steadily increased, indicating a positive change.
Wellness programs like these are driving the cultural shift needed to break down the pervasive mental health stigma in policing. Departments must consider these and other proactive approaches. Fortunately, emerging methods like VRT offer discreet and effective treatment options officers can access from the privacy of their homes or, in the future, with an in-car virtual partner, marking a significant shift in how mental health care is delivered.
“We’re bringing it into the light”
This cutting-edge approach provides convenient access to therapy and introduces a new frontier for law enforcement wellness. Virtual reality therapy is already making significant strides in treating trauma and anxiety among military veterans. The Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system has deployed 3,500 VR headsets to military veterans to reduce the symptoms of post-traumatic stress, treat stress and anxiety, provide peer support and treat substance abuse and physical pain. [10,11] Injured combat veterans are finding hope in immersive reality tools to combat ailments, deal with feelings around career-ending injuries and practice having difficult conversations with loved ones. [10] Veterans have used VRT to confront their fears, treat PTSD and get on the road to alcohol recovery.11
In ways that are comparable to those with similar trauma in the military, a career in policing can lead to trauma that can weigh down officers. There is a saying that when your rucksack gets full, it is time to unload. By providing healthy ways for officers to unload cumulative trauma, we may create more resilient and effective police officers. [12] Wellness programs that integrate VRT have the potential to break cultural stigma, increase officer retention and career longevity, and improve community interactions. Police leaders must proactively cocreate wellness programs with officers, businesses, researchers and therapists to improve officer well-being, enhance community engagement and prepare for policing and mental health challenges in the future. For some officers, this means first addressing the past.
Byron White, a 25-year police veteran, noted, “When I started, mental health wasn’t something you talked about. You handled your calls and moved on. If you showed emotion, a supervisor might say, ‘You want a Band-Aid?’ Things are changing now — we’re giving it a name and bringing it into the light.”
White also reflected on his personal experience. “Early in my career, I responded to a critical incident — a serious officer-involved car crash,” he said. “After our officers were transported to the hospital, I had to keep working, but my head wasn’t in the game, and it affected me long afterward. Back then, our only outlet was ‘choir practice.’ We didn’t have the mental health resources to process what we were going through.”
The immediate impact for White was apparent in the response to his next call. He remembers being dispatched to a cold burglary report while still upset, angry and distracted, which led to a lack of patience for the victim. Over time, White struggled with intrusive thoughts and bad dreams that disrupted his sleep. Incidents like these accumulate over a career, leading to anxiety, stress and PTSD.
Reflecting on his experiences, White, who grew up watching “Star Trek” and its futuristic “holodeck” 3D simulator, recognized that virtual reality therapy could have been a valuable tool for him. He also observed that younger generations, increasingly familiar with virtual reality and mental health apps, might be more open to exploring VRT. The promise of VRT is the power to address both past and present trauma to reduce symptoms of depression and rewire the response to intrusive memories from the privacy and comfort of your home. [13]
Changing the mental health game
The integration of cutting-edge VRT presents a significant opportunity to enhance mental wellness for individual police officers by reducing stigma and increasing their access and use compared to existing options. To advance these efforts, collaboration with technology companies and universities can be crucial in bridging funding gaps and ensuring responsible implementation of wellness programs incorporating VRT.
The pioneering Bravemind VRT program from the University of Southern California’s Institute for Creative Technologies partnered with the military to help veterans regain control of memories and diminish their intrusive impact on daily life. [13] VRT is particularly useful for those who may have an aversion to talk therapy. The Bravemind VRT program discovered that 76% of participating veterans preferred VRT over traditional therapy. [14] Currently, Bravemind is partnering with clinicians and technology developers to create a customized PTSD treatment program for soldiers in Ukraine. [14]
Grant-funded programs like Wayne State University’s Frontline Strong Together, which provides mental health and wellness services to police and fire professionals, have begun researching VR exposure therapy using ExpandXR software to help Michigan officers recover from cumulative trauma. [15] The Emory University Veterans Program and Wounded Warrior Project partnered for a study on post-9/11 veterans. They found VRT “significantly reduced” PTSD, depression, anxiety and substance use disorder as part of an integrated health plan. [16] These initiatives highlight the need for continued investment and development in VRT to support the mental health of law enforcement officers.
Like military veterans, officers are already familiar with VR platforms for use-of-force and de-escalation scenario training at work, making VRT a natural extension. For some, VRT offers a more engaging way to address mental health and PTSD through interactive, customized game-like scenarios. By incorporating VRT in wellness programs, departments can break down cultural stigma, increase officer retention and improve community interactions.
However, VRT still needs to be fully developed for law enforcement. More research and police-specific scenarios are needed. Advances in AI have the potential to enhance VRT by rapidly creating such scenarios. AI-enabled tools can also increase the accessibility of wellness and mental health services and address the shortage of mental health professionals. [17] Despite its potential, officers may be hesitant to use VRT due to concerns about data privacy, fearing their personal information could be exposed. Ensuring robust protections for officer information will be critical to building trust and encouraging participation in these programs.
In the meantime, law enforcement must begin to rethink its approach to mental health, treating it as essential training for the mind. Adapting existing real-world mindfulness and stress-reduction programs, such as the Marine Corps’ Mindfulness-based Mind Fitness Training (MMFT), is worth exploring. The program has shown significant benefits in improving mental resilience among Marines, enhancing training recovery and stress response and leading to faster cognitive processing and reaction times, better immune function, reduced negative moods and fewer symptoms of burnout. [18] These proven techniques provide a valuable model for similar programs in policing, helping minimize the costs associated with starting from scratch.
Proactive mental health approaches
Leaders can take incremental steps today to implement wellness programs that create a culture of self-care options. These could include simple and low-cost options such as creating dedicated wellness time or offering a “quiet” room as part of the gym area to allow staff 15 minutes per shift to engage in stress-reduction tactics such as breathing, stretching and meditation, much like the Marines’ mindfulness program.
Consider starting with a staff wellness survey to determine priorities and identify champions and early adopters. Then create a committee with representatives of a cross-section of the department who can analyze and develop a strategy for implementing wellness programs. This will prepare departments to take advantage of immediately accessible VRT on the horizon to appeal to the next generation of officers.
To fully capitalize on the potential of mental health technologies, police leaders, policymakers and mental health professionals must collaborate and address the challenges and opportunities associated with these advancements. Recommendations include:
- Normalize mental health care: Integrate VRT with training platforms/locations and consider mandated wellness check-ins to reduce stigma.
- Build in, not buy in: Engage officers early in program development to ensure ownership and build trust.
- Pursue creative funding solutions: Partner with technology companies and universities to advance research and fund innovative wellness programs.
- Leverage existing success models: Adapt successful military VRT programs and collaborate with licensed mental health professionals for acceptance and training.
- Prioritize data privacy: Establish strong policies to protect officer data and build trust in new mental health technologies.
- Invest in research: Leverage partnerships to explore the long-term impact of VRT on policing and explore successful health care distribution models.
Champion innovative approaches
While virtual reality therapy has proven effective in the military, its potential in policing is still largely untapped. With high rates of police suicide and untreated mental health issues jeopardizing officer safety and performance, traditional resources often fall short due to stigma and confidentiality concerns. VRT presents a game-changing solution by offering immersive, discreet therapy. However, as a new approach, it requires robust safeguards, thorough testing and thoughtful implementation to maximize its impact. [19]
To truly prioritize officer mental health as a pillar of readiness, police leaders must champion innovative approaches like VRT. By actively involving officers in program development and exploring creative funding options, leaders can harness these advancements to better prepare their departments, safeguard officer well-being and strengthen the communities they protect.
References
- McCreary DR, Thompson MM. Development of two reliable and valid measures of stressors in policing: The operational and organizational police stress questionnaires. Int J Stress Manag. 2006.
- Duszynski-Goodman L. Mental health statistics and facts. Forbes Health. February 2024.
- Jones S, Agud K, McSweeney J. Barriers and facilitators to seeking mental health care among first responders: “Removing the darkness.” J Am Psychiatr Nurses Assoc. 2020;26(1-2):43-54.
- Lawrence DS, Dockstader J, Solomon K, Schlosser LZ, Willis J. Law enforcement deaths by suicide. First H.E.L.P. March 2024.
- Heyman M, Dill J, Douglas R. Ruderman white paper on mental health and suicide of first responders. Ruderman Family Foundation. April 2018.
- Violanti J, Charles LE, McCanlies EC, Hartley TA. Police stressors and health: A state-of-the-art review. Policing Int J. November 2017.
- Drew JM, Martin S. A national study of police mental health in the USA: Stigma, mental health and help-seeking behaviors. J Police Crim Psychol. 2021;36(1):49-62.
- Casas J. NRS289.510: Annual mental wellness visits. The Ridge. February 15, 2024.
- Papazoglou K, McQuerrey Tuttle B. Fighting police trauma: Practical approaches to addressing psychological needs of officers. SAGE Open. August 2018.
- Davis E. How a VA virtual reality headset changed a veteran’s life. VA News. August 2024.
- Davis E. Virtual reality is veteran’s path to recovery: A veteran’s transition from addiction to recovery. VA News. March 2024.
- Chae MH, Boyle DJ. Police suicide: Prevalence, risk, and protective factors. Policing Int J. March 2013;36(1):31-47.
- SoldierStrong. Bravemind: Helping vets recover from post-traumatic stress using virtual reality therapy.
- University of Southern California Institute for Creative Technologies. Bravemind.
- Topiwala A. Mental health resources expand for first responders. Capital News Service. Spartan Newsroom. April 2024.
- Emory News Center. Emory Healthcare Veterans Program part of Wounded Warrior Project’s $100 million investment across four sites. January 2024.
- Cedars-Sinai. Study: Mental health gets a boost from artificial intelligence. January 2024.
- U.S. Marine Corps. Mental fitness.
- Miller KC. Is immersive technology the future of VA health care? Disabled American Veterans. August 2024.
About the author
Sabrina Reich is an acting captain in the Administration Division of the University of California Police Department in Berkeley, California. She has more than 10 years of law enforcement experience.
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