Colorado State Patrol announced a partnership with the Georgetown University Law Center for Innovations in Community Safety to implement a new program training officers on techniques for preventing misconduct and avoiding police mistakes.<\/p>\n
Per a press release received Tuesday morning, the Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement program includes scenario-based role play and the creation of a culture that supports intervention in high stress situations, regardless of officer rank.<\/p>\n
This program is in compliance with Senate Bill 20-217, which went into effect July 1. The bill made it illegal for an officer to fail to stop another from using excessive force, and protects those\u00a0who attempt to intervene from any retaliation.<\/p>\n
“ABLE was not considered due to any incident,” said master trooper Gary Cutler via email Wednesday. According to Cutler, CSP will adhere to ABLE’s program standards after the training is complete. These standards include “meaningful training,” “accountability,” and “community support.”<\/p>\n
Training began on May 23 and, according to Cutler, 100% of sworn-in members are expected to be trained by the end of December. As of Tuesday, over 90% of troopers have already gone through the program.<\/p>\n
“We are very excited to be partnering with ABLE to expand our training on active bystandership,” said CSP chief Col. Matthew C. Packard in the release. “Through this program we prioritize our commitment, dedicating an internal resource to coordinating this program and adhering to outside standards.”<\/p>\n
The ABLE Project builds upon training aimed to help police officers stop unnecessary harmful behavior of other officers. According to the release, all sworn CSP staff, including top leadership, will be required to take the ABLE training and will receive annual refresher training from this point forward.<\/p>\n