The fort myers police department (fmpd) identified a critical need for more consistent, agency-wide training on DE-escalation and crisis response tactics

The Department of Justice's Community Oriented Policing Program awarded the City of Fort Myers $300,000 on October 1, 2025, for a Project Grant to deliver a structured, evidence-based de-escalation training program for police officers at all levels. The funding addresses the Fort Myers Police Department's identified gap in standardized, department-wide training on de-escalation and crisis response tactics. The program will equip sworn officers with tools to resolve volatile situations safely and effectively, focusing on improving decision-making, communication, and community outcomes.

Performance will occur in Fort Myers, Florida, through September 30, 2027. The award is made under CFDA 16.710, Public Safety Partnership and Community Policing Grants, which supports law enforcement agencies in implementing community policing strategies and building organizational capacity to advance public safety.

This project will address the GAP of not currently having a standardized, department-wide training program that ensures all sworn officers are equipped with the tools to resolve volatile situations safely and effectively by delivering a structured, evidence-based DE-escalation training program for officers at all levels, focused on improving decision-making, communication, and community outcomes.