Kuster police de-escalation bill headed to Biden’s desk

CONCORD, Vt. (WCAX) - A police de-escalation bill co-sponsored by New Hampshire Congresswoman Annie Kuster is heading to President Biden’s desk.

The bill passed 264-162 with Republican support and capped off a modest two-year effort by Congress to pass police reform legislation after the killing of George Floyd sparked global protests against police brutality.

Kuster says the Law Enforcement De-escalation Training Act equips law enforcement officers with the tools to effectively and safely respond to people in crisis. The goal is to create a stream of funding to train officers and mental health professionals to work with de-escalation tactics.

Those tactics have been a focus for police in the last few years, especially at the Vermont Police Academy.

Tune into the Channel 3 News Thursday at 6 for a special report from Dom Amato on how training has changed and evolved over the years and what the new leaders at the academy hope for classes to come.

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