Its recommendations include developing mandatory annual de-escalation training for every sworn officer and a revamped, evidence-based curriculum at the Ontario Police College. Dubé’s report found Ontario constables receive far less training than elsewhere in Canada — 12 weeks compared with 24 for RCMP recruits. But a review of training at 19 police services across Ontario, including urban, rural and First Nations agencies, found there are significant hurdles to providing de-escalation training, predominantly scenario-based learning. In general, the report says, researchers saw positive signs, including that de-escalation was “the most prominent and consistent theme” in training observed in 2017. The majority of agencies across Ontario want their officers to receive additional training on de-escalation, and larger police services are beginning to offer their own.

Source: thestar May 05, 2018 21:45 UTC