Applicant proposes a training project on DE-escalation tactics and alternatives to use of force focus area

The Department of Justice Offices Boards and Divisions Community Oriented Policing Program awarded Salt Lake City Corporation $500,000 on October 1, 2025, under the Public Safety Partnership and Community Policing Grants program (CFDA 16.710) to enhance police training in de-escalation tactics and alternatives to use of force.

The recipient will invest in a virtual reality training simulator technology with de-escalation curriculum, designed to provide officers with immersive, hands-on scenario-based exercises, interactive testing and assessment, and detailed debriefing and after-action review capabilities. Salt Lake City will also train new instructors in the ICAT (Integrating Communications, Assessment, and Tactics) de-escalation train-the-trainer program to build and maintain officer de-escalation proficiency. Performance of work occurs in Salt Lake City, Utah 84111. The grant period runs from October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027.

If awarded, the police department will enhance its training program to build and maintain officers' DE-escalation proficiency by 1) investing in a new virtual reality (VR) training simulator technology with a specific focus on DE-escalation curriculum. The VR training system is a comprehensive solution that is designed to allow trainers the ability to provide training, conduct interactive testing and assessment, and provide immersive, hands-on scenario-based exercises with detailed debriefing and after-action review; 2) train new instructors in the icat (integrating communications, assessment, and tactics) DE-escalation train-the-trainer program.