Rep. Sykes Re-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) re-introduced the bipartisan Law Enforcement Scenario-Based Training for Safety and De-escalation Act alongside Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Don Bacon (NE-02), and Glenn Ivey (MD-04). This legislation is endorsed by the Akron Chapter of the NAACP as well as the Fraternal Order of Police. If signed into law, it 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.
“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.”
June 27, 2025 will mark the three-year anniversary of the death of Jayland Walker, who was fatally shot by police in Akron. This past April marked the one year anniversary of Frank Tyson’s death, 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.
“As a former FBI Special Agent, I’ve worked alongside law enforcement professionals who put their lives on the line every day to protect and serve with honor,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick. “This bipartisan legislation is about giving them the tools they need to do that job safely, effectively, and with the highest standards. By investing in real-world, scenario-based training, we’re equipping our brave officers with the resources to reduce risk, strengthen public trust, and foster safer communities across America. This is how we support those who protect us.”
“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 Fitzpatrick 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.
In February, Rep. Sykes applauded the Canton Police Department (CPD) for taking advantage of a four-week de-escalation training program following high profile confrontations in which the CPD used excessive force. The CPD’s efforts to improve de-escalation are a critical step toward improving the relationships between law enforcement and the community members they are sworn to protect, increasing both trust and safety for everyone in Canton.
A variety of local and federal stakeholders support this legislation including the national Fraternal Order of Police and the Akron NAACP.
“The Akron NAACP continually advocates for local and national de-escalation training as a necessary method for calming potentially dangerous situations and saving lives. The Akron Branch supports The National NAACP in calling for legislation requiring mandatory de-escalation training for all law enforcement officers equal to or greater than the number of hours spent on firearms training,” said Judi Hill, President, Akron NAACP.
“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. 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. This kind of scenario-based training will also improve an officer’s critical decision-making, problem-solving, and crisis intervention skills. We believe that wider access to this type of training is critical for officers to successfully protect and serve their community,” said Patrick Yoes, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police.