Are you interested in borrowing VR goggles, or buying them? Both are viable options, so you should choose what makes the best sense for your agency.
Where to borrow goggles
Through the Attorney General’s Office, OPOTA bought 160 VR headsets. They were distributed to OPOTA’s seven Close to Home regional training partners and to academies run by police departments in Akron, Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland, Dayton and Toledo.
OPOTA and its Tactical Training Center, both in London, have headsets for in-house training, and OPOTA has set aside an additional supply to lend to agencies that request them.
With such widespread distribution, all 900 law enforcement agencies in Ohio have access to VR training.
Where to buy goggles
Many law enforcement agencies have opted to purchase their own VR headsets for internal training, as OPOTA will upload the VR scenarios free to agency-owned devices.
There are a variety of locations where the hardware can be purchased, including Amazon, Best Buy, Target, Walmart, and gaming stores. (NOTE: These retailers are provided as examples, not recommendations.)
The following specifications are required for OPOTA to upload the scenarios to agency devices:
- Meta Quest 3 VR Headset: Currently available only in a version that contains 512 GB of onboard storage.
- Gaming Headphones: Used for sound isolation. Currently recommending the Logitech G Pro X Wired Gaming Headset.
- Meta Quest 3 Silicone Facial Interface: The part of the headset that rests on your face, with a facial interface (included) that is made of cloth; this silicone facial interface is easier to clean between users.
- Meta Quest 3 Carrying Case: Numerous options available.
- Various wall chargers: For faster headset charging.
- Cables: To simplify and speed up headset recharging.
Agency VR instructors should contact OPOTA to make arrangements for VR video uploading at a nearby regional provider in the Attorney General’s OPOTA Close to Home program. Or, you can can have the scenarios uploaded by sending an email to OPOTAVR@OhioAGO.gov and a representative will contact you.
Questions about VR equipment and scenarios should be directed to OPOTAVR@OhioAGO.gov.