• Who can become a member?

The main focus of this network are law enforcement agencies. However, even if you are not part of a law enforcement agency you might still be able to join as a partner. You can go to ‘partnerships’ for more information, or email to info@vrandpolice.eu

• How can I become a member?

You can become a member by clicking on ‘join’ and filling in the question form. Please note that we distinguish two phases in the network. Currently we are in the ‘pre-network’ phase. This means that you can become a member of the community, and make use of the community platform without any costs. The community is intrinsically linked with the SHOTPROS project. Once the SHOTPROS project has ended, in the summer of 2022, we shift to the ‘network’ phase. The network will become independent and stand-alone, with a new leadership and business model. All community members will be notified of this, and given the opportunity to either withdraw from the community or become full members of the independent network. Becoming a member now leaves no obligation for membership of the independent network. 

• What is the cost of a membership?

Currently there are no costs associated with membership, but this might change in the future. All community members will be notified long before any such change occurs, and they will get the option to either withdraw or continue membership under the new regulations. Becoming a member now leaves no obligation for membership of the independent network.

• What are the advantages of the membership?

The first advantage of membership is getting access to the community platform. This is a secure platform that all community members can log into, and share information about VR with each other across borders. It allows you to connect to other law enforcement agencies (LEAs), and discuss all things VR with them.  

The second advantage is getting access to the shared calendar. This calendar will display interesting events for law enforcement agencies from the SHOTPROS project and the network. It can also display events that are organised by other European projects, or other stakeholders that want to invite LEAs to join. On top of that, if you are organising an event pertaining to VR and Police, and you want to invite international LEAs, you can ask for you event to be added to the communal calendar as well. This way you are able to use the network for your events, while keeping updated on interesting events of others.  

The third advantage is having direct access to the knowledge and learning hub. This hub will contain the scientific results of SHOTPROS, and deliverables from the SHOTPROS project. On top of that, the hub allows researchers to exchange information and research with each other, promoting the development of cutting-edge VR technology. This hub can be a base for the research, the technology and the operational partner to come together and to understand and supplement each other’s needs.  

The fourth advantage is that you can participate in network activities that are organised by the network for you. These activities can help you network with other LEAs, online and in real life, and it is a way to be introduced to new research, development and information about VR and Police.    

• I am not part of a Law Enforcement Agency, can I become a member?

The focus of this network is law enforcement agencies, however that does not mean that all others cannot join or participate in the community. For example, the science and knowledge hub are also a place for technology and research partners to come together to exchange information. For more information on what you exactly can do for the network, you can navigate to “partnerships”.

• How can I become involved in the network as a reseacher/university?

We welcome all researchers to form partnerships with the network. The advantages of a partnership are many, firstly you will get access to the scientific hubs where you can share and spread knowledge and research about VR and Police, and you can communicate with other research partners on this topic. Secondly, your events or studies can be added to the communal agenda, if you need to engage LEAs for your research, this network could be the first place to look, although there are no guarantees. On top of that, you can become involved future network activities as well. If you are interested in becoming involved, you can email the network by using the contact form below or sending an email to: info@vrandpolice.eu

• How can I become involved in the network as a technology partner/VR company? 

As a technology partner or VR company, you can be involved in the network by offering a partnership. This will give you the opportunity to engage with end users via the shared communal calendar, and share your knowledge in the scientific hub. On top of that, you can become involved future network activities as well. If you are interested in becoming involved, you can email the network by using the contact form below or sending an email to: info@vrandpolice.eu

• How can I become involved in the network as a relevant European Project? 

As a relevant European project, we would be happy to involve you in the project. Depending on your needs we can start a partnership together. This partnership would give you access to the scientific hub, and you could promote your events via the shared calendar. For more information, you can send an email to: info@vrandpolice.eu

• What are the recent accomplishments of the network?

Recently, the network has created a webinar series about VR and law enforcement. These webinars were recorded, you can find them here. The webinars were an important way of communicating SHOTPROS results during the pandemic. The network is still organising webinars to bring information about VR to those that are curious about it. Keep an eye on the website for more developments in this area.  

On top of that, SHOTPROS continues to work with cutting-edge technology and research, and these results will be continuously disseminated via network activities. Additionally, the network facilitates continuous international knowledge sharing between LEAs, and between different operational, technology and research stakeholders.  

• Who are currently in the network?

The network currently exists out of consortium members of the SHOTPROS consortium and community members that are interested in the work that SHOTPROS does. The main focus of the network is on law Enforcement agencies, but other stakeholders can be part of the network as well.

• What activities do you organise as a network?

The main activities of the network include knowledge exchange in the member section of this platform, meetings, publications, workshops, webinars, VR trials and demonstrations and discussions between end-users about best VR practise. These activities currently take place within the SHOTPROS project, but are also open to the community of the network.  

• How do you promote the development of cutting edge VR technology?

The promotion of VR technology will be done in multiple ways. Firstly, by bringing end-users together and allowing them to exchange best practises. This creates the opportunity to share experience and build on that. Secondly, via the knowledge and learning hub researchers can exchange their research about these topics. This hub can thus be a base for the research, the technology and the operational partner to come together and to understand and supplement each other’s needs.

The network also disseminated the results of the Horizon 2020 project SHOTPROS about VR training and police. These results can be used further to keep on developing VR technology.  

• What is the scope of the network?

The starting point of this network is the training of decision making and acting in VR for police officers. However, for the network the scope will be enlarged to cover more topics more generally, centring around “VR and police”. This includes topics such as VR and Crime scene investigation, VR and psychology and VR and surveillance.