This project and approach align with ST. Petersburg police departments broader public safety strategies that support a proactive policing model that prioritizes prevention, intervention, and long-term…

The Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing Program awarded the City of St. Petersburg $488,750 on October 1, 2025, under the Public Safety Partnership and Community Policing Grants program (CFDA 16.710) to deliver de-escalation training to the St. Petersburg Police Department through a partnership with St. Petersburg College's Center for Public Safety Innovation.

The training series supports SPPD's shift toward a proactive policing model emphasizing prevention, intervention, and problem-solving over traditional enforcement tactics alone. Officers will receive evidence-based instruction in de-escalation techniques to handle complex and sensitive situations while reinforcing the department's mission to serve the community with professionalism and integrity. The initiative aims to create safer outcomes for both officers and the public by embedding de-escalation into daily police operations, strengthening community relationships and reducing the likelihood of force during police interactions.

St. Petersburg College's Center for Public Safety Innovation, which operates a college-administered training institute serving the community, state, and nation in the public safety sector, partners with SPPD on project implementation.

The award period runs through September 30, 2027. Performance takes place in St. Petersburg, Florida.

This project and approach align with ST. Petersburg police departments broader public safety strategies that support a proactive policing model that prioritizes prevention, intervention, and long-term problem-solving over traditional enforcement tactics alone. Through this evidence-based training series, officers will be better prepared to handle complex and sensitive situations while reinforcing the departments mission to serve the community with professionalism and integrity. Ultimately, DE-escalation training helps create safer outcomes for both officers and the public, reflecting sppds ongoing commitment to a more collaborative, compassionate, and community-centered model of policing. By embedding DE-escalation into daily operations, sppd is taking meaningful steps to strengthen relationships with residents and reduce the likelihood of force being used during police interactions. Sppd and ST. Petersburg colleges center for public safety innovation (CPSI) create an ideal partnership for successful project implementation. CPSI has experienced, dedicated staff supporting a college-administered training institute that serves the community, state, and nation in producing new ideas, solutions, and leaders in the public safety arena.