Research Highlights
Crisis Intervention Training and Officer WellnessÂ
A collaborative initiative between George Mason University and three Virginia police departments aimed at strengthening law enforcement responses to mental health crises while promoting officer wellness. Implemented between 2022 and 2026, the project focused on two primary objectives: enhancing officers’ crisis intervention skills through Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training and supporting officer mental health through wellness screenings and behavioral health assessments. Through three phases—planning, implementation, and evaluation—GMU researchers collaborated with participating agencies to assess organizational needs, implement targeted interventions, and evaluate outcomes related to crisis response capacity and officer well-being. Funded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA).
Improving Police Response via Service AlternativesÂ
An experimental evaluation of a collaborative partnership among the Center for Evidence-Based Crime Policy at George Mason University, Roanoke Police Department (RPD), Roanoke County Police Department (RCPD), Salem Police Department (SPD), and Vinton Police Department (VPD) as well as Blue Ridge Behavioral Healthcare (BRBH) in Roanoke Valley region of Virginia to conduct a place-based cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the effects of the co-responder model on subsequent outcomes of individuals who were experiencing a crisis and involved in mental health-related calls for service. Funded by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ).
Artificial Intelligence & Decision Support
Our research examines how artificial intelligence can advance criminological knowledge and support informed decisions in public safety. We integrate criminological theory with computer vision and large language models to evaluate automated firearm detection and the identification and interpretation of online extremist content. We also examine how terrorist groups may exploit AI, highlighting emerging challenges for prevention and counterterrorism. Across these efforts, we assess technological capabilities and limitations, including accuracy, interpretability, and risks of error and bias. The goal is to strengthen the evidence base for AI applications that support human judgment and inform effective, responsible approaches to preventing and responding to crime and violence.
