The LOS angeles police department (lapd) will implement crisis negotiation training for patrol officer (CNT-PO)

The Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services awarded the City of Los Angeles Police Department $500,000 on October 1, 2025, under the Public Safety Partnership and Community Policing Grants program (CFDA 16.710) to implement Crisis Negotiation Training for Patrol Officers (CNT-PO).

LAPD will deliver an 8-hour training course designed to equip approximately 720 patrol officers with advanced de-escalation tactics and crisis negotiation skills to reduce force application on persons in crisis, with mental illness, or with disabilities. The program integrates specially designed virtual reality scenarios featuring these populations as training situations. Deliverables include the CNT-PO course curriculum, VR training scenarios, trained officer cohorts, and an evaluation report documenting student assessment results, lessons learned, and best practices.

Performance occurs in Los Angeles, California (90012) with completion targeted for September 30, 2027.

The 8-hour training provides patrol officers with advanced DE-escalation tactics and crisis negotiation skills that will reduce the application of force on law violators as well as on persons in crisis or with mental illness. Specifically designed virtual reality (VR) scenarios involving persons in crisis or with mental illness or with disabilities, will be integrated as training scenarios. Deliverables will include CNT-PO course curriculum, specially designed VC training scenarios, approximately 720 patrol officers trainees, and an evaluation report detailing the student assessment of the CNT-PO, lessons learned, and best practices.