WASHINGTON, D.C. –  Senators Thom Tillis and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) recently introduced the bipartisan Law Enforcement Scenario-Based Training for Safety and De-Escalation Act of 2023. The legislation would require the U.S. Department of Justice, through the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), to create immersive, real-life, scenario-based training curriculum to address key issues raised by law enforcement officers and the communities they serve.

“Law enforcement officers risk their lives every single day to keep our communities safe, and they deserve training and resources that help them handle the most difficult situations. This bipartisan legislation will help law enforcement receive training to de-escalate a host of crises, including those involving people with mental health or drug dependency issues. Improved training will result in improved safety for both law enforcement officers and the people they regularly interact with,” said Senator Tillis. 

The curriculum would focus on improving community-police relations; officer and community safety; de-escalation and use of force; situational awareness; physical and emotional responses to stress; critical decision-making and problem-solving; and crisis intervention. The bill would also create a grant program to support public and private entities that train law enforcement officers using immersive curriculum that meets the same standards. All law enforcement officers—in departments large and small, rural and urban—should have access to the state-of-the-art, scenario-based training that saves lives and rebuilds trust. Trust and safety are the foundation of the relationship between our law enforcement and the communities they serve - this bill is an important step toward strengthening law enforcement and community relationships.

The Fraternal Order of Police and Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association have endorsed the legislation.

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