OHIO PEACE OFFICER TRAINING SERIES
*Information Video sourced from Ohio Attorney General.
Overview:
Since 2022, the GRID Lab has partnered with the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy (OPOTA) to create immersive, state-wide cinematic VR training experiences for law enforcement. Led by Creative Producer Tom Quinlan and Director/Co-Writer Eric R. Williams. Building on the success of earlier ALEI and MESP initiatives, these series use immersive storytelling to enhance officer training through realistic, scenario-based simulations.
My Role:
Second Unit Gaffer, Post-Production Assistant
As part of my immersive media work with the GRID Lab, I contributed to Season 2: Multi-Dimensional Policing, the second installment in a cinematic VR training series developed for the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy (OPOTA).
In Season 2, I helped bring to life the experiences of four central characters, each navigating the challenges of modern policing:
Detective Logan, a former educator turned investigator
Sergeant Walker, a veteran officer reconciling past trauma and personal loss
FTO Reynolds, a longtime field training officer shaping the next generation
Officer Quinn, a new recruit completing training and stepping into his father’s legacy
This series continues the GRID Lab’s mission to push the boundaries of immersive media for public service and education, blending narrative depth with virtual reality technology.
Software:
Premiere Pro, Insta 360 Cameras
Highlights:
Shoot and edit 360* VR training content, and traditional videos focusing on public service training
Conduct cinematography and lighting experiments to optimize immersive storytelling techniques
Perform quality assurance checks on finalized video edits to ensure clarity and narrative flow, improving training effectiveness
Fireworks on Oak Street
In a callback to Season One, Officer Glen responds to what he expects to be another domestic violence incident. Instead, he finds himself in a tense suicide prevention situation—the husband has barricaded himself in the basement with multiple firearms. Drawing on their shared experience as Afghanistan veterans, Glen attempts to de-escalate the situation by building trust and guiding the husband toward a peaceful resolution.
Choices on the One Bus
Two officers confront a man in the midst of a schizophrenic episode, armed with a knife and spiraling out of control. The younger officer follows protocol, saying all the right things—but is he truly tuned in to the situation’s emotional rhythm? His more experienced partner senses what’s really unfolding, but will he have the chance to intervene in time? In this interactive scenario, the audience determines how the encounter unfolds—aware that each decision could mean the difference between resolution and tragedy.
Stolen Vehicle on Route 16
A rookie officer begins to question his role—and his superior’s decisions—while reflecting on his father’s legacy in law enforcement. Their shift takes a sharp turn when they’re thrust into a high-speed pursuit of a stolen vehicle. As the chase escalates, both officers are forced to make split-second tactical decisions under mounting pressure. But nothing prepares the young officer for what he finds when the stolen car finally comes to a stop and the doors swing open.
Traffic Stop at Butcher Street Storage
During what begins as a routine traffic stop, Officer Burke is suddenly ambushed—thrusting her into the center of a critical incident. In the aftermath, she must navigate the legal and professional protocols laid out by her department, guided by her sergeant. Yet beneath the surface, Burke grapples with the emotional weight and psychological toll of the encounter. As night falls, she faces “the dark spiral,” torn between internalizing the trauma or reaching out for professional help.
