How New Jersey’s New Use of Force Policies Are Impacting Officer Training & Public Safety

In 2021, New Jersey implemented new use of force policies, including mandatory training in de-escalation and peer intervention. But how have these initiatives impacted officers and their day-to-day policing practices?

The National Policing Institute conducted a multi-year evaluation, surveying over 31,000 officers who completed Integrating Communications, Assessment, and Tactics (ICAT) and Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement (ABLE) training to assess the impact.

Key Insights from this report:
✔️ Officers overwhelmingly support de-escalation and peer intervention training.
✔️ Training enhances officers’ attitudes toward use of force, community interactions, and peer accountability.
✔️ Data suggests that refresher training may be necessary to maintain long-term impact.
✔️ Findings provide useful insights for agencies implementing or expanding similar training programs.

This research offers a rare look into how officers perceive these training efforts and what it means for public safety. Whether you’re a law enforcement leader, policymaker, or researcher, the data offers valuable direction for future initiatives.

From this extensive work, NPI has already created a suite of resources for the field, including the full report, executive summary, and a how-to guide for summarizing data for the public. Additionally, a journal article about these findings was published. But we aren't done. More resources that will enhance the impact of the use of force and de-escalation training are coming. 

Authors: Gabrielle T. Isaza, PhD, Ryan T. Motz, PhD, Hannah D. McManus, PhD, Nicholas Corsaro, PhD, and Amanda M. Shoulberg, MA