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Chief Lockhart briefs board on de‑escalation training, crisis intervention resources
Summary
Police Chief Lockhart presented an overview of the department's de‑escalation training, citing Force Science Institute materials, CALEA standards and the ICAT/Police Executive Research Forum framework; he described crisis intervention team (CIT) training and local mental‑health response coverage.
Chief Lockhart led a training briefing for board members on de‑escalation principles and how the Lawrence Police Department applies them in calls involving mental‑health crises.
Lockhart said de‑escalation is a set of strategies intended to “reduce the necessity or level of force required for successful resolution, while ensuring officer and public safety is optimized,” and cited the Force Science Institute and CALEA standards in describing policy changes. He emphasized that “deescalation is not something you do to a person. Non‑coercive deescalation is recognizing, creating, and maintaining conditions that allow someone to deescalate their own emotions,” and that officers should create time, distance and cover where feasible, summon resources and use active listening and rapport building.
The chief described local training and resources: integrated de‑escalation practices are part of officer training and in‑service exercises; the department incorporates ICAT (Integrated Communications, Assessment and Tactics) principles from the Police Executive Research Forum; and a substantial portion of officers have crisis intervention training (CIT). Chief Lockhart said the city also has mental‑health response teams that provide clinician coverage for many hours (he said clinicians are available roughly 8 a.m. to 2 a.m.), and that the department seeks to pair law enforcement with clinical resources when appropriate.
Board members asked about role‑play and scenario‑based practice; Lockhart said academy and in‑service training include scenario work, video review and discussion of both successful and problematic encounters. A board member observed that officers with more experience or different physical characteristics may need particular attention to tactical decision making and self‑awareness.
Why this matters: the presentation gave the board context for reviewing use‑of‑force dispositions and complaints by explaining departmental training, policy references and how mental‑health calls are staffed. The chief noted limitations: not every encounter can be resolved without force, and de‑escalation relies on the subject's ability and willingness to self‑regulate.
No formal action was taken on training materials at this meeting.
