WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The Seattle Police Department (SPD) will undergo a tactical de-escalation skills training to improve community policing, the US Justice Department said in a statement.
“All 1,300 sworn officers of the SPD will be trained in tactical de-escalation skills and strategies through the newly approved program,” the statement, issued on Thursday, said.
“Tactical de-escalation training has and will be woven into every aspect of more specific technical training that SPD officers will receive throughout the year, including firearms, individual and team defensive tactics and more,” the statement said.
The Justice Department noted that the program will reduce the likelihood of injury to the public, increase officer safety and reduce community complaints.
US District Judge James Robart approved the department-wide training earlier on Thursday.
In recent months, the United States has seen waves of mass protests against police violence prompted by killings of primarily unarmed African American men by white police officers.
