Houston Officials Appreciate Federal De-escalation Training for Local Law Enforcement

Shutterstock

Houston officials met with federal leaders and public defenders to discuss new federally funded de-escalation training for local law enforcement.

During a press conference at City Hall on Tuesday, Mayor Sylvester Turner said the federal funding would bring “tremendous benefits” to the city of Houston.

“We need to come up with best practices for how to deal with people when they face mental health issues,” Turner said. “We’re trying to do this and that [funding] will help us a lot.”

The Law Enforcement De-Escalation Training Act, signed into law December 27, 2022, provides $124 million in federal funding over the next four years to train law enforcement in de-escalation techniques and alternatives to the use of force.

The curriculum, which is currently being developed by the US Department of Justice, must be completed within 180 days of the law going into effect. Once completed, funding will be provided to state and local law enforcement agencies.

Following the death of George Floyd in 2020, Mayor Turner met with US Senator John Cornyn and Houston leaders to discuss the relationship between law enforcement and community members. According to Kornin, the results of this discussion were taken into account in the law.

During a press conference on Tuesday, Cornyn, who is the law’s author, said the training will help contribute to the policy reforms that several law enforcement agencies have introduced over the past few years.

“This de-escalation training act will complement the good work being done locally here and hopefully save lives and get people the help they need in the end,” Kornin said.