Whitehouse and RI Law Enforcement Leaders Push for New Commander-Level Police Training Bill

Promoting Police Leadership Act will provide better training for the police leaders running day-to-day operations

Barrington, RI - U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse today joined RI Police Chiefs Association President Michael Correia, David Lambert, Director of the Roger Williams University Justice System Training and Research Institute, and Family Service of RI CEO Margaret Holland McDuff to push for final passage of Whitehouse's Promoting Police Leadership Act.

"Rhode Island's captains, majors, and precinct commanders know that proper training for their officers is key to making decisions that keep our communities safe. They, too, deserve training programs that keep pace with the new demands constantly placed on them," said Whitehouse. "I'm grateful to Rhode Island's finest for joining me today, and for their support in getting this bill passed in the Senate."

The Promoting Police Leadership Act would support the development of commander-level law enforcement leadership training and education curricula to enhance police operations, increase officer accountability and wellness, improve resource management, and strengthen 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 unanimously passed the Senate in June and now awaits a vote in the House.

"We are grateful for Senator Whitehouse's leadership in advancing the Promoting Police Leadership Act through the Senate," said Colonel Michael Correia, Chief of Police for Barrington and President of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association. "Strong police departments depend on strong leaders, and this legislation will help ensure that the next generation of law enforcement leaders has the training and preparation needed to meet the challenges ahead. We hope today's event will help build the support necessary to pass this important legislation in the House and ultimately make it law."

"De-escalation isn't about asking law enforcement to do less - it's about giving officers more tools to keep everyone safe. After more than 20 years of working alongside police and training professionals through FSRI's Go Team and Trauma Informed Policing Center, we know that when officers understand trauma and have the skills to slow a crisis down, the outcome can change dramatically for a child, a family, and the officer," said Margaret Holland McDuff, CEO of Family Service of Rhode Island.

"The Promoting Police Leadership Act is essential in the development of professionalism in policing and assisting police leaders in translating evidence-based practices such as community policing, problem solving, crime analytics, trauma-informed practices and risk management into an agency's business processes," said David Lambert, Director of the Roger Williams University Justice System Training and Research Institute.

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

Whitehouse has previously teamed up with Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) on the Law Enforcement De-escalation Training Act, a 2022 law that required 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 other social programs.