Bill 118 hr 3269, also known as the Law Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act, aims to address the issue of police use of force and promote de-escalation techniques in law enforcement. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on June 29, 2021, by Representative Sheila Jackson Lee from Texas.
The main goal of the bill is to provide funding for law enforcement agencies to implement innovative de-escalation training programs and strategies. This includes training officers on how to effectively communicate and defuse tense situations without resorting to the use of force. The bill also seeks to establish a grant program to support research on best practices for de-escalation and to provide resources for law enforcement agencies to implement these practices.
Additionally, the bill requires law enforcement agencies to collect and report data on incidents involving use of force, including demographic information on the individuals involved. This data will be used to track trends in the use of force and to identify areas where de-escalation training may be most needed.
Overall, the Law Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act aims to improve police-community relations, reduce the use of force by law enforcement officers, and promote safer interactions between law enforcement and the communities they serve. The bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process and has not yet been voted on by the House of Representatives.