Great Barrington Police Awarded Grant for Virtual Reality Training
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. The Great Barrington Police Department (GBPD) announced it has been awarded a $29,988 grant through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Commonwealth's Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS).
This competitive grant will fund the purchase and implementation of an advanced Virtual Reality (VR) training system designed to enhance officer preparedness, decision-making, and community safety.
The VR system, developed by Street Smarts VR, immerses officers in realistic training environments where they can safely practice responses to violent crime, drug-related incidents, and behavioral health crises. The program supports GBPD's mission to protect life and property while ensuring that officers are trained to de-escalate situations and serve with professionalism and empathy.
"This investment in our officers' training and safety comes at a crucial time," said Chief Paul Storti. "As the challenges in law enforcement evolve, our tools must evolve with them. The VR system allows us to prepare for complex, high-stress encounters in a way that reduces risk to both officers and the public, ultimately
making Great Barrington safer for everyone."
Traditional training methods such as classroom instruction and limited role-playing exercises cannot fully replicate the dynamic situations officers experience in the field.
The new VR training platform will allow GBPD to:
- Simulate a wide range of real-world incidents, including active shooter situations, domestic disturbances, and behavioral health interventions.
- Strengthen officers' de-escalation and communication skills in high-pressure environments.
- Enhance decision-making and situational awareness to improve public safety outcomes.
- Provide ongoing, repeatable, and measurable training without the logistical challenges of large-scale exercises.
With support from the Byrne JAG program, the Great Barrington Police Department is modernizing its approach to professional development and community engagement. The department's goal is not only to improve performance but to build greater community trust, reduce use-of-force incidents, and promote transparency through evidence-based training.
"This technology will transform how our officers train—and how they serve," said Chief Storti. "We're grateful for this opportunity to bring modern, realistic, and compassionate training to the front lines of public safety in Great Barrington."
