Tim Ryan introduces bill to require DOJ to create police de-escalation training

Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), who announced a presidential bid this month, on Monday introduced legislation requiring the Justice Department to create training in a variety of areas for law enforcement officers.

Under the legislation, H.R. 2329, the department would be required to create training surrounding de-escalation and use of force, crisis intervention, improving community-police relations and more. 

“The lack of standardized police training can lead to negative outcomes for officers and citizens,” Ryan said in a statement. “All officers — in departments large and small, rural and urban — should have access to the state-of-the-art immersive training that saves lives and rebuilds trust. This bill is an important step toward addressing related concerns and finding common ground.”

The bill is backed by both the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) according to the statement.

Ryan is a moderate who once challenged Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) in a leadership race. He is among more than a dozen people who are competing for the 2020 Democratic nomination.