In police training, theoretical and practical learning units are well-balanced. Already at an early stage in the training, police students are attempted to be prepared for real challenging situations. However, training and simulation of particularly dangerous situations, where speed and security of action are crucial, are problematic.

To investigate the effectiveness of digital learning materials in this context, a branching scenario was developed, implemented, and evaluated in cooperation with the Police Academy of Saxony-Anhalt. A branching scenario is an interactive, video-based learning format that presents police students a realistic situation, that can happen in their everyday work. Throughout the branching scenario, police students navigate through various situations, making decisions from pre-defined action options. The decisions have immediate consequences on the further course of the branching scenario and the escalation or de-escalation of the situation. In addition the police students receive immediate feedback on their actions.

After the branching scenario, the police students were surveyed using a questionnaire. The results show that branching scenarios can provide good support in realistic, practical police training. Police students feel better prepared and sensitized for dangerous situations.

Sample and Data collection: The sample consists of police students in Germany. They are in the first part of their police training. A total of 32 students participated in the survey and 33 did the branching scenario. The questionnaire primarily consists of single-choice questions, 4-point Likert scale questions with the option to abstain and additional open-text fields for individual responses.

Keywords: Digital learning, Branching scenario, Police training.