Feds Grant $176K To Denver For 'De-Escalation' Police Training

DENVER, CO — Denver and Colorado Springs are among more than 180 jurisdictions across the country that are receiving grants from the Department of Justice, federal officials announced Wednesday.

The City and County of Denver is receiving $176,587 and the City of Colorado Springs is receiving $189,600 — each for the 'De-Escalation Law Enforcement Agency Grant,' which aims to reduce the intensity of police encounters with the public in intense situations.

The Biden Administration proclaimed Oct. 3-9 National Community Policing Week.

More than $33 million is being allocated across the nation for different types of grants, including ones that aim to improve tolerance, diversity and crisis intervention training. Around $6.5 million will go to advance crime fighting, community engagement, problem-solving and expanding police accreditation to comply with national and international standards.

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After George Floyd was killed in 2020 by former police officer Derek Chauvin in Minneapolis, thousands of Coloradans protested for weeks against police brutality. Gov. Jared Polis then signed a sweeping police reform and accountability bill June 19 — Juneteenth. The new provisions strengthen the criminal legal standard for officers who use excessive force, ban choke holds and protect protesters from police violence.

But the new legislation and community sentiment have also contributed to high rates of resignations and retirements in local and national law enforcement agencies.

“Keeping communities safe requires building relationships and increasing trust between law enforcement and those they serve,” said Merrick Garland, U.S. Attorney General, in a statement.

“The wide range of programs these funds will support – from de-escalation training and anti-bias efforts to technical assistance and accreditation programs – are critical to achieving our public safety goals. It is particularly meaningful to announce these awards during National Community Policing Week, which recognizes the importance of community policing and the positive results we can achieve when law enforcement and community members work together.”