Trained Observer began as a college thesis at Ringling College of Art and Design, where founder Eli McBride explored how immersive technology could be used to strengthen real-world observational skills under pressure. What started as an academic project quickly revealed a larger opportunity: to rethink how observation, decision-making, and situational awareness are trained—especially in high-stakes public safety environments.

Eli’s work is deeply informed by personal experience. Raised in a law-enforcement household, with a father who has served as a corporal in the Philadelphia Police Department for over 25 years, he saw firsthand both the responsibility officers carry and the complexity of the environments they operate in. Trained Observer was created with respect for that responsibility, and with the belief that better training leads to safer outcomes for everyone involved.

Our mission goes beyond sharpening observation alone. Trained Observer is designed to help law enforcement professionals recognize environmental details, contextual cues, and human behavior—while also confronting how bias, stress, and assumption can shape perception. By placing users inside realistic, dynamic environments, we encourage deliberate observation, critical thinking, and accountability in decision-making.

At its core, Trained Observer exists to support safer communities. We believe that improving how officers observe and interpret the world around them can reduce errors, limit harmful assumptions, and build greater trust between public servants and the communities they serve.

Looking ahead, Trained Observer is built to scale. We aim to expand into multiple cities, develop new environments, and collaborate with departments, educators, and institutions seeking modern, ethical training tools. As urban spaces evolve, so must the way we prepare people to navigate them.

Trained Observer is not about testing memory—it is about cultivating awareness.

Follow Eli the Developer on LinkedIn at: www.linkedin.com/in/elimcbride