FY24 CPD Implementation of De-escalation Training Act Program

The U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office, https://cops.usdoj.gov is pleased to announce that it is seeking applications for funding for the FY24 Implementation of De-Escalation Training Act Program – Community Policing Development. The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office) is seeking an organization to work with the Department of Justice to develop and implement the final requirements for de-escalation training approvals meeting the goals of the Law Enforcement De-Escalation Training Act of 2022. The successful applicant will help ensure that these requirements are informed by the act by conducting ongoing consultations with stakeholders, by implementing promising practices, and by carrying out research on the effectiveness of law enforcement training in this area. The primary goal is to develop and support a training approval program as specified in the Law Enforcement De-escalation Training Act of 2022. The project must focus on the development and piloting of a standards-based approval process and promoting its use and benefits to the law enforcement field. Applicants will be expected to address in their proposal narrative how they plan to accomplish the following activities (i) contribute to the development of standards for de-escalation training that meet the goals of the de-escalation training act, (ii) develop a process through which training curricula (both classroom and online) can be submitted and processed for approval using the to-be established standards, (iii) design a long-term quality control plan to ensure that approved programs continue to meet the standard, and (iv) pilot implementation of the process in the field. Applicants should also include how they plan to design a process that incorporates ongoing consultation with key stakeholders, develop the guidance and tools necessary for entities to submit training for approval consideration, maintain an active and public listing of approved trainings, assist the COPS Office in designing a system for tracking information regarding training deliveries, and to identify and promote promising practices for content and delivery to the law enforcement community. In addition to the requirements above, applicants should address their experience and capacity with establishing substantive curriculum standards, managing certification or approval processes, evaluating training, and working with diverse stakeholders. The primary activity of this award will be the development of a de-escalation training approval process that meet the goals of the de-escalation training act. Other key activities and deliverables that will be expected in connection with this work will include the following: • Contributing to the development of standards for DOJ training approvals • Developing processes for training approvals and continual assessments • Developing tools for applicants applying for training approval • Piloting the application for approval process in the field • Creating an updatable public catalog of approved training programs • Developing a tracking and reporting system on training deliveries • Facilitating ongoing stakeholder engagement around project activities The following projects are considered out of scope for this program: • Applicants that do not have demonstrated experience developing policies and processes for national law enforcement training programs, including continual assessments and tracking training requirements, will not be considered. • Applicants that do not demonstrate familiarity with law enforcement de-escalation training programs will not be considered. • Applicants that do not demonstrate experience in the administration of national law enforcement resources will not be considered. • Applicants whose proposals do not address the requirements and deliverable outlined in this solicitation will not be considered.