WLPD officers complete new training program aimed at defusing critical incidents

Officers of the West Lafayette Police Department have completed a new multi-module training program aimed at defusing situations involving persons who are unarmed, or are armed with weapons other than firearms, and who may be experiencing a mental health or other crisis.

 

The Integrating Communications, Assessment, and Tactics (ICAT) training program was developed by the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) with input from hundreds of police professionals from across the United States. ICAT takes the essential building blocks of critical thinking, crisis intervention, communications, and tactics, and puts them together in an integrated approach to training.

 

Throughout 2021, WLPD officers were presented with lectures and case studies, as well as scenario-based exercises, aimed at incorporating different skills which will help officers assess situations, make safe and effective decisions, and document and learn from their actions.  The objective of this training program is to provide officers with the tools, skills, and options they need to successfully and safely defuse a range of critical incidents. 

 

More information about the ICAT training program can be found at https://www.policeforum.org/icat-training-guide.

 

Adam Ferguson

Captain of Patrol

West Lafayette Police Department

711 West Navajo Street

West Lafayette, IN 47906

765-775-5262