Bipartisan legislation recently introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would improve officer readiness, enhance public trust, and make communities safer. Smaller or under-resourced jurisdictions often lack the ability to offer advanced training on their own.
The Law Enforcement Scenario-Based Training for Safety and De-escalation Act would direct the Department of Justice, through the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, to develop and support immersive, scenario-based training programs that address key issues such as crisis intervention, community engagement, de-escalation, and decision-making under stress.
The bill also would establish a federal grant program to help state and local law enforcement agencies implement the training.
U.S. Reps. Don Bacon (R-NE), Glenn Ivey (D-MD, Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Emilia Sykes (D-OH) introduced the bill that has the endorsement of the Fraternal Order of Police.
“Law enforcement officers face a wide variety of situations while on the job, so it is imperative that officers have access to the most comprehensive and updated training available to prepare them for whatever scenario they encounter,” Patrick Yoes, Fraternal Order of Police national president, said. “This legislation would authorize federal resources to help state and local law enforcement agencies create immersive, real-life, scenario-based training curriculum which will improve community-police relations, as well as officer safety and resilience.”