19 EPD officers participated in the 4th De-escalation and Tactical Communication course

On August 11, 2020, the Eureka Police Department (EPD) held its 4th De-escalation and Tactical Communication course. 



19 officers participated in this most recent training which is modeled from the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) program Integrating Communications, Assessment, and Tactics (ICAT).    The ten-hour multifaceted training was led by experienced EPD officers who attended a nationally recognized train-the-trainer course in 2019 hosted locally by the Eureka Police Department.   ICAT accompanies Crisis Intervention (CIT) and Principled Policing (Implicit Bias/Procedural Justice)—other vital fields in which EPD officers also receive training.  This training course provides officers the tools, skills, and options needed to successfully defuse a range of critical incidents.    According to PERF, the ICAT training program “is anchored by the Critical Decision-Making Model that helps officers assess situations, make safe and effective decisions, and document and learn from their actions.  ICAT incorporates different skill sets into a unified training approach that emphasizes scenario-based exercises, as well as lecture and case study opportunities.”   “One of the core values of the Eureka Police Department is our respect for the sanctity and value of all human life. While not every incident can be successfully resolved without use of force, these important de-escalation skills and tactics can assist officers in defusing situations involving persons who may be experiencing a mental health or other crisis.”   ~Chief Steve Watson  The training blended in-depth discussion and realistic scenarios requiring them to apply the tactics and communications skills they learned. Topics included: 
Critical  decision
Crisis making recognition
Tactical communications Operational  tactics

EPD will continue bias/procedural  justice its  commitment training for  its to  provide  d e membersescalationon  an  on , CIT ,  and  implicit going  basis.