The stockton police department (SPD) and SAN joaquin behavioral health (sjbh) will increase availability of their integrating communication assessment and tactics (icat) course, a course developed…

The Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing Program awarded the City of Stockton $500,000 on October 1, 2025, under the Public Safety Partnership and Community Policing Grants program (CFDA 16.710) to expand delivery of the Integrating Communication Assessment and Tactics (ICAT) de-escalation training course.

The Stockton Police Department and San Joaquin Behavioral Health will increase ICAT course availability. ICAT teaches officers to evaluate incidents, determine proper outcomes through communication and tactical decision-making that may include disengagement, and prioritizes de-escalation and problem-solving over enforcement-driven approaches, particularly in encounters with individuals experiencing mental health crises, emotional distress, or substance use disorders.

The award period runs from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027, with performance in Stockton, California. The City of Stockton is the recipient organization, with San Joaquin Behavioral Health as a sub-recipient delivering collaborative training content and delivery support.

The stockton police department (SPD) and SAN joaquin behavioral health (sjbh) will increase availability of their integrating communication assessment and tactics (icat) course, a course developed with a focus on DE-escalation and utilizing tactical decision making to slow incidents down. The course teaches officers to evaluate the incident to determine the proper outcome, which includes communication and depending on the scenario, even walking away to ensure no violence or force occurs. This philosophy reflects a shift from a purely enforcement-driven approach to one that prioritizes compassion, communication, and problem-solving, especially when dealing with individuals experiencing mental health crises, emotional distress, or substance use disorders.