Bolton-headquartered edtech firm Near-Life has launched an immersive learning programme for Greater Manchester Police (GMP) to support its work tackling child sexual exploitation.
In partnership with GMP, the tech company has developed a course using its Near-Life CREATOR+ interactive video software. The software uses gamified simulation technology, where learners have the opportunity to take on the roles of both officer and investigator in a simulated child sexual exploitation case.
Each module of the programme creates an interactive scenario where a user is given decisions to make as part of a simulated investigation. The choice a user makes dictates what happens next in the simulation, which aims to provide police officers with the opportunity to test potential decision-based outcomes around complex investigations.
The programme will support an improved knowledge base to allow GMP to share best practice examples of how digital simulations can support training and learning in complex investigations.
The pilot for the programme was awarded £241,000 in funding from Innovate UK in November 2020.
“Through our work with Greater Manchester Police over the last 12 months, we’ve really got to understand, in practice, the potential that using a gamified simulation approach has for dealing with a complex, sensitive and challenging topic like investigating potential Child Sexual Exploitation cases,” said Mike Todd, CEO of Near-Life.
“The benefit to using immersive learning is that it allows you to create real-world scenarios and environments tailored to the needs of the user and the business. Research published by OFCOM found that it can improve knowledge retention by as much as 90%,” he added.
Superintendent Gareth Parkin added: “GMP are constantly looking at how to improve learning to help keep our communities safe. This interactive pilot project with Near-Life, which focuses on a very important topic, is a key part of our ongoing efforts to explore new ways in which innovation can support our work.”
