Should we require law enforcement officers to undergo training on and employ de-escalation techniques?

Awaiting Vote
Bill Summary

HR 2927 requires that states and localities receiving grants under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Program require law enforcement officers to undergo training on and employ de-escalation techniques. This bill aims to help reduce the need for use of force by law enforcement officers. All law enforcement officers of state or local government would be required to fulfill a training session each fiscal year, including verbal and physical tactics to minimize the need for force, techniques that provide officers with awareness and recognition of mental health, crisis intervention strategies, and other evidence-based approaches. Sponsor: Rep. Gwen Moore (Democrat, Wisconsin, District 4)
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Opponents say

• “The concern we have is that hesitation might end up having an officer getting killed or assaulted … Sometimes using the least amount of force turns out to be a bad idea. It’s a myth that officers want to use more force.” Source: Harvey Hedden (Executive Director of the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association)

Proponents say

• “As a mother, grandmother, and elected representative, I personally took the untimely death of Dontre Hamilton to heart. Dontre wasn’t just my constituent, but a member of our community, yet sadly, his story is not unique. Too many young men and women in this country are unreasonably struck down by the very people who swore an oath to protect them. Too many mothers have been forced to bury their children and too many Americans have shared a fate similar to that of Dontre’s. Upon hearing the news of this young man’s passing, I made a promise to myself and his mother, Maria Hamilton, that his death would not be in vain. This, coupled with the boisterous feedback from my constituents, led me to draft the Preventing Tragedies Between Police and Communities Act of 2016. This bill would give local law enforcement officials the valuable tools and training they need to safely and effectively patrol our streets with a strong emphasis on preserving life, drawing from several ‘best practices’ and recommendations from the Police Executive Research Forum.” Source: Rep. Gwen Moore (Democrat, Wisconsin, District 4)
• “I think that the response from a statewide perspective is one of accountability and there should be standards,” said Lt. Gov. Barnes. “The legislature should meet to pass bills aimed at creating better police-community relationships. And it requires legislators to take it seriously.” Source: Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes (Democrat, Wisconsin)
• “There are currently only 21 states that require its law enforcement officers to undergo mandatory de-escalation training. Police departments across the country have demonstrated that, when used, de-escalation techniques make neighborhoods safer, reduce civilian complaints, and keep officers safe. Leaving resource-strapped chiefs and sheriffs on their own to implement these programs simply is not fair to them or the communities they serve. We can do better by requiring and funding these programs in the federal government. The Preventing Tragedies Between Police and Communities Act (H.R. 2927), introduced by Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Wis.-4), conditions grants under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program to states and localities implementing mandatory de-escalation training for their officers. The bill also requires departments to regularly submit use of force data to DOJ.” Source: Third Way