Whitehouse, Cornyn Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Support Commander-Level Law Enforcement Training Programs

Promoting Police Leadership Act will better train the police leaders running day-to-day operations to improve outcomes for local communities

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and John Cornyn (R-TX), senior members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, this week introduced the Promoting Police Leadership Act, bipartisan legislation to support the development of a commander-level law enforcement leadership training and education curriculum to enhance the performance of police operations, increase officer accountability, improve resource management, and strengthen community relations.

"State and local police commanders are entrusted with important leadership, community relations, and policy responsibilities," said Sen. Whitehouse. "Our Promoting Police Leadership Act improves these leaders' access to high-quality trainings to help them succeed in their roles and better serve the officers they oversee and the community members they protect."

"Law enforcement is a challenging and dynamic profession that requires continuous training and education," said Sen. Cornyn. "Our bill would ensure all levels of law enforcement across all departments and communities are prepared to protect and defend in today's rapidly evolving threat environment, and I'm proud to lead this investment for our men and women in blue ahead of Police Week."

"As a 40-year veteran of law enforcement-having served as a Chief of Police, the Director of the COPS Office, and now a university public safety leader-I have seen firsthand that the greatest challenges facing modern policing cannot be solved by tactical training alone. They require sophisticated leadership, data-driven management, and a commitment to evidence-based practices. By equipping the next generation of law enforcement executives with a rigorous, curriculum-based education, we aren't just improving individual departments; we are professionalizing the field and strengthening the bond of trust between police and the communities they serve," said Brown University Police Chief and Vice President for Public Safety Col. Hugh T. Clements Jr.

"Strong leadership is critical to effective policing. This legislation recognizes that the decisions made at the command level shape everything from officer performance to community trust," said Colonel Michael E. Correia, President of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association. "By expanding access to high-quality, evidence-based training for our mid-level leaders, the Promoting Police Leadership Act will help ensure departments across Rhode Island and the country are better equipped to meet today's complex public safety challenges. It's a smart, forward-looking investment in both our officers and the communities we serve."

The law enforcement profession requires continuous training and education, but training programs often do not keep pace with new demands placed on officers. Training standards can also differ across jurisdictions, and educational opportunities may be limited beyond early career instruction.

The gap in accessible training is particularly striking at the mid-level leadership tier, where day-to-day operational decisions are made. Captains, majors, and precinct or district commanders oversee large portions of a department and the communities they serve, making decisions that directly affect both officer performance and public safety outcomes. Training at this level can be limited, leaving many police leaders without adequate preparation for their responsibilities, especially when they are new to their roles.

Senator Whitehouse and Cornyn's Promoting Police Leadership Act supports the development of a commander-level leadership training curriculum, providing a voluntary framework that law enforcement agencies can adapt and use to support officers and improve operational effectiveness in the communities they serve. Creating access to training geared specifically to commander-level personnel will act as force multiplier, improving the performance of entire precincts, enhancing accountability, improving resource management, and strengthening community relations.

The bipartisan bill would task the U.S. Attorney General and Department of Justice with developing a broad training curricula framework for commander-level personnel in consultation with state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies, academic institutions, and other relevant partners. The legislation would also establish a voluntary certification process for the Attorney General to identify high-quality training programs that align with the broader DOJ framework and provide instruction to police departments.

The legislation is endorsed by Law Enforcement Action Partnership, Major County Sheriffs of America, and National Narcotic Officers' Associations' Coalition.

"As a career law enforcement professional, I've seen how much of day-to-day policing is shaped by the decisions made at the command level," said Lt. Diane Goldstein (Ret.), Executive Director of Law Enforcement Action Partnership. "Yet too often, the officers in these roles aren't given the consistent, high-quality training they need to lead effectively. Expanding access to evidence-based leadership training is a practical step that can bolster accountability, enhance decision-making, and set a higher standard of professionalism across entire departments. When command-level officers are better prepared, it strengthens the performance of the officers they supervise and improves outcomes for the communities they serve. That kind of investment is essential not just for effective policing, but for earning and maintaining the public trust that policing depends on."

Whitehouse and Cornyn have previously teamed up on the Law Enforcement De-escalation Training Act, a 2022 law which equips law enforcement officers with the tools to effectively and safely respond to people in crisis. The Law Enforcement De-escalation Training Act requires the Department of Justice to work with experts to develop comprehensive trainings on de-escalation tactics, alternatives to use of force, safely responding to mental, behavioral, and suicidal crises, and making referrals to community-based mental and behavioral health services and support and other social programs.

The text of the legislation can be found here.

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