[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 82 (Thursday, May 15, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H2059-H2060]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING OHIO'S 13TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT DURING NATIONAL POLICE WEEK

  (Mrs. Sykes of Ohio was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Mrs. SYKES. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the courage, dedication, 
and sacrifice of the law enforcement officers serving in Ohio's 13th 
Congressional District and to honor those who have lost their lives in 
the line of duty.
  Being a police officer is not an easy job. It is one of the most 
difficult and most dangerous jobs in our society, and in recent years, 
it has only gotten harder.
  As I have met with law enforcement agencies across northeast Ohio, I 
continue to hear the same concerns. Officers are overworked, stretched 
thin, and in need of better support and training to meet the demands of 
the job and the needs of our communities.
  That is why I have reintroduced the Law Enforcement Scenario-Based 
Training for Safety and De-Escalation Act. This is bipartisan 
legislation that supports law enforcement officers by ensuring they 
have access to high-quality, real-world training that prepares them for 
the complex situations they face in the field.
  This bill requires the Department of Justice through the Office of 
Community Oriented Policing Services, also known as the COPS Office, to 
develop and distribute scenario-based training curricula that cover de-
escalation, crisis intervention, use of force, situational awareness, 
decisionmaking under stress, and community relationship building.
  We know that when law enforcement has the tools and the training they 
need, it protects both the officers and the public. This bill creates a 
grant program to make these programs accessible to departments of all 
sizes, rural and urban, so that every officer in every community can 
benefit.
  This legislation is especially urgent for my community. June 27 will 
mark 3 years since Jayland Walker was shot and killed by police in 
Akron. April 18

[[Page H2060]]

marks the 1-year anniversary of Frank Tyson's death, which took place 
while he was in custody in Canton after pleading with detaining 
officers that he could not breathe.
  We cannot ignore these tragedies. We must respond to solutions that 
promote safety, accountability, and trust. That is exactly what this 
legislation is designed to do.
  We want our citizens and our officers to make it home to their loved 
ones at the end of the night. That is what this legislation will do. We 
are already seeing what is possible when departments commit to this 
type of training.
  I recognize the Canton Police Department for stepping up and 
participating in a 4-week de-escalation program following a recent 
high-profile incident involving use of force. Their involvement aligns 
directly with the goals of this legislation. By embracing immersive de-
escalation training like the program offered by the Midwest De-
Escalation Training Center, CPD has taken meaningful action to build 
trust with the community and improve safety outcomes for everyone in 
Canton.
  This is exactly what we want to see. We want to see police 
departments proactively seeking solutions to better serve and protect. 
It shows that when officers are equipped with the right tools, 
training, and support, we can prevent tragedies, rebuild relationships, 
and ensure that both officers and the public go home safely.
  The Law Enforcement Scenario-Based Training for Safety and De-
Escalation Act is supported by the National Fraternal Order of Police, 
the FOP, and the Akron NAACP because we all share the same goal of 
making sure that everyone goes home safely at the end of the night.
  When I came to Congress, I promised to put the people of Ohio's 13th 
Congressional District first. That means supporting our officers, 
rebuilding trust in public safety, and working across the aisle to get 
things done. That is exactly what this bill does, and I look forward to 
seeing my colleagues advance this bill over the finish line.
  Again, as it is National Police Week, I thank all the law enforcement 
officers across Ohio's 13th District and the country for the service 
that they provide to protect and serve our communities.

                          ____________________