Police Executive Research Forum Study of CSPD Training

Overview of the Project

In response to a recommendation from the 2022 Transparency Matters study, in 2023 the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) selected the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) to conduct an extensive study of CSPD’s training in defensive tactics, de-escalation of police-citizen encounters, procedural justice, and response to persons in crisis. 

The PERF report is the result of requests from community members and CSPD employees to assess and enhance the training provided to CSPD officers in these key areas. The study included numerous meetings and interviews with community members and employees, focus groups, ride-alongs with patrol officers, and firsthand training and document reviews by PERF personnel.

Specific requirements of the study included:

  1. A comprehensive audit of CSPD training related to use of force, de-escalation, procedural justice, and crisis response. 
  2. A review of all training curriculum, in-person observation of training courses, interviews with training staff, surveys of officers/supervisors/other relevant employee groups, and involvement of community members. 
  3. A comparison to best practices and/or evidence-based practices in this type of training. 
  4. Detailed recommendations about how CSPD can improve training found in the audit to not meet industry best practices, including a recommended implementation plan. 
  5. A presentation in a public forum in Colorado Springs on the findings and recommendations of the study.

About The Police Executive Research Forum (PERF)

The Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) is an independent, nationally-known law enforcement research, policy, and management organization based out of Washington D.C.

For additional information, please visit their website at www.policeforum.org.

Timeline of the Project

April 2022CSPD receives the Transparency Matters study, which includes a recommendation CSPD conduct an independent training audit.
June 2022CSPD conducts initial community and employee meetings aimed at assessing training needs.
August - November 2022CSPD holds community, employee, and police supervisor focus groups to further define views on police training, needs of CSPD officers, and community sentiment.
January 2023CSPD develops the Scope of Work for the training audit, based on the input received from the various focus groups. 
February 2023CSPD and the City of Colorado Springs post a public request for national firms to submit proposals on the training study.
March - June 2023A group comprised of CSPD employees, a LETAC member, a community member, and a Police Protective Association (CSPPA) member review the submitted proposals.
June 2023The selection committee chooses the Police Executive Research Forum to conduct the study.
July 2023 - September 2024PERF conducts the training audit and study of CSPD.
September 20, 2024PERF is awarded a grant by the National Institute of Justice to study the implementation of police-focused Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Colorado Springs. The study will occur from 2025 through 2027.
September 26, 2024CSPD and PERF publicly publish the training study and associated recommendations.

Results

Download the Report Here

Public Presentation Recording

Watch the recording of the public presentation below.