Bill Overview
Title: Law Enforcement Scenario-Based Training for Safety and De-Escalation Act of 2022
Description: This bill directs the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services within the Department of Justice to develop a scenario-based training curriculum that addresses topics such as de-escalation and use of deadly force. The bill authorizes grants for entities to provide law enforcement personnel with training that is substantially similar to the curriculum.
Sponsors: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Target Audience
Population: Law enforcement personnel and the general public they serve
Estimated Size: 335000000
- The bill focuses on law enforcement personnel, aiming to enhance their training.
- Scenario-based training in de-escalation and use of force will directly affect those being trained: law enforcement officers.
- Training is expected to affect the communities that law enforcement serves by potentially reducing instances of forceful engagements.
- The act involves the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, indicating a federal reach across the United States with potential impacts on various law enforcement agencies.
- Improved training may lead to safer interactions between law enforcement and civilians, impacting community safety.
Reasoning
- The policy primarily affects law enforcement personnel, aiming to mitigate dangerous situations through better training in de-escalation and the use of force. It indirectly affects the communities where these officers serve by potentially lowering incidents of excessive force and improving public safety.
- Given the number of law enforcement officers (approximately 800,000) and the communities they serve across the United States, the policy could have wide-reaching indirect effects on general civilian perception of safety and wellbeing.
- The success of the program strongly relies on the allocation and use of the grant money as well as the adoption of the training programs by various law enforcement agencies across states.
- The budget constraints indicate that not all regions may experience immediate or equal impacts from the bill; urban areas with higher volume of incidents might see more immediate implementation compared to rural areas.
Simulated Interviews
Police Officer (New York, NY)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This training is crucial for officers like me who deal with high-pressure situations daily.
- I think it could help reduce unnecessary escalation and build community trust.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Police Chief (Houston, TX)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This training aligns with our goals to enhance officer skills and improve community relations.
- It is a great opportunity but managing budget allocations efficiently is crucial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Community Activist (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this training reduces aggressive policing in our neighborhoods.
- Trust is low, so any positive change will be a step forward.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 2 |
Sheriff (Rural Alabama)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Access to new training is beneficial, but funding and implementation are concerns.
- Rural areas often get overlooked.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
College Student (Chicago, IL)
Age: 23 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm skeptical but optimistic that training can change deeply embedded policing practices.
- Improved police-public interactions are essential for future societal trust.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 2 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 2 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 2 |
Mental Health Professional (Seattle, WA)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see first-hand the impact of negative police interactions on mental health.
- This policy could reduce trauma if implemented effectively.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Retired Law Enforcement Officer (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Training is essential; it's something we needed during my tenure as well.
- Can improve safety and relationships if officers embrace the changes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Public Defender (Denver, CO)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Stronger training could decrease unnecessary arrests and enhance justice.
- Improved law enforcement education is needed to protect citizen rights.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
School Principal (Miami, FL)
Age: 54 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More effective policing can create safer environments for my students.
- I look forward to seeing these initiatives reduce tensions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Social Worker (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Positive change in police training is a step towards community healing.
- Policies like these might lead to more supportive local law enforcement.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $110000000 (Low: $90000000, High: $130000000)
Year 2: $100000000 (Low: $85000000, High: $115000000)
Year 3: $100000000 (Low: $85000000, High: $115000000)
Year 5: $95000000 (Low: $80000000, High: $110000000)
Year 10: $85000000 (Low: $70000000, High: $100000000)
Year 100: $50000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $70000000)
Key Considerations
- Implementation effectiveness of the training program in real-world situations.
- Actual uptake and participation by law enforcement agencies across states, which may vary widely.
- Potential overlap or synergy with existing training programs already in place within many agencies.
- Measurability and tracking of long-term benefits, specifically in crime reduction and improved public safety.