Rep. Sykes Introduces Bipartisan Law Enforcement De-escalation Training Bill
Legislation would improve community-police relations, keep our communities safe
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) introduced the bipartisan Law Enforcement Scenario-Based Training for Safety and De-escalation Act of 2024 alongside Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Don Bacon (NE-02), and Glenn Ivey (MD-04).
This legislation would require the U.S. Department of Justice, specifically through the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), to create real-life, scenario-based training curriculum for law enforcement personnel based on the wide range of issues they encounter while serving our communities, including: improving community-police relations; officer and community safety; situational awareness; physical and emotional responses to stress; critical decision-making and problem solving; de-escalation and use of force; and crisis intervention.
June 27, 2024 marks the two-year anniversary of the death of Jayland Walker, who was fatally shot by police in Akron. This past April, Frank Tyson, a 53-year old Canton resident, died in custody shortly after telling police he could not breathe. This legislation is an important step towards improving the relationships between law enforcement and the community members they are sworn to protect, improving both trust and safety for everyone in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District.
“Every person deserves to feel safe and secure in their communities. This commonsense, bipartisan legislation brings together a variety of stakeholders to put people and safety first,” said Rep. Sykes. “Ensuring law enforcement departments at all levels have access to de-escalation training will save lives and make our communities safer for everyone. At the end of the day, we want our citizens and law enforcement officers to go home safely to their families. This legislation is an important step towards doing that and rebuilding mutual trust between law enforcement and the communities they have sworn to protect and serve.”
“As a former Federal Law Enforcement Agent, I understand the crucial importance of equipping our police officers with the skills they need to protect and serve safely and effectively through an immersive, scenario-based curriculum informed by the expertise of law enforcement associations and community-based organizations,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick. “Our bipartisan Law Enforcement Scenario-Based Training for Safety and De-escalation Act will provide our brave officers with resources and training they can use to continue to foster a safer sense of community across America. I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle will join us in supporting our hero first responders and championing this commonsense legislation.”
"Arming our law enforcement with de-escalation skills is necessary for when they encounter those who may be suffering from mental illness or suicidal tendencies,” said Rep. Bacon. “With nearly six in ten police encounters involving people with serious mental illness, this bill will provide the training on alternatives to use of force and de-escalation that law enforcement wants and needs to better address mental and behavioral health and suicidal crises.”
“Police officers have a tough job. They need the tools to deal with complex situations including domestic violence, mental health emergencies and cultural and situational sensitivity to protect our communities in a more holistic, thorough, and comprehensive approach. That’s why I am proud to co-lead this legislation to put in place scenario-based training for police. We must leverage federal resources to help our communities to get the best possible outcomes – fewer injuries, deaths, and in-custody excessive use of force cases for officers and civilians. I applaud my colleague from Ohio Rep Emilia Sykes and our colleagues from across the aisle Reps. Bacon and Fitpatrick for leading this bipartisan effort,” said Rep. Ivey.
Often, law enforcement agencies lack the necessary resources to provide state-of-the-art, scenario-based training that prepares officers for the circumstances they face on the ground. This bill would create a grant program to support public and private entities that train law enforcement officers using an immersive curriculum that meets the same standards. This would allow all law enforcement officers—in departments large and small, rural and urban— access to high-quality training that improves safety, saves lives, and rebuilds trust.
A variety of local and federal stakeholders support this legislation including the national Fraternal Order of Police, the Akron NAACP, and the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association.
“A year ago, in June 2023, the Akron NAACP, the Freedom Bloc, the Akron Urban League, National Social Justice Activists, family members, and concerned citizens of Akron, Ohio, marched into DC demanding the Department of Justice conduct a pattern and practice investigation into the shooting of Jayland Walker. At that time, Congresswoman Emilia Strong Sykes wrote to the Department of Justice, ‘The call for this investigation is in no way an attempt at retribution, but rather, an opportunity to implement more community-focused policing that serves the needs of every segment of this community. I am confident you share our ultimate objective of ensuring the citizens of our nation have confidence in their law enforcement agencies, and that you will facilitate solutions-based tools and practices necessary to keep law enforcement safe and accountable and protect our communities so that we never have to be in this situation again.’ This bipartisan legislation released today, on the second anniversary of the death of Jayland Walker is a step in the right direction. It provides an opportunity to ensure the safety of law officers and protect citizens. Thank you, Congresswoman Emilia Strong Sykes, for taking the necessary steps to make your comments in 2023 come to fruition. As President of the Akron Branch NAACP, I commend the members of Congress who recognized the need for this valuable training,” said Judi Hill, President, Akron NAACP.
“FLEOA is proud to support the ‘Law Enforcement Scenario-Based Training for Safety and De-Escalation Act,’ a bill to require training that aligns with the real-world circumstances and situations that law enforcement officers confront on a daily basis,” said Mat Silverman, President of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA). “This type of training is critical to the safety of officers and the communities they serve, and we appreciate Rep. Sykes’ leadership in introducing this important legislation."