Federal grant drives FHSU de-escalation training center expansion

08/09/22

By FHSU University Communications

HAYS, Kan.- Fort Hays State University’s Department of Criminal Justice was recently awarded an additional $1.5 million to expand operations of the Central Region De-escalation Training Center. This marks the department’s second major federal grant award over the past year. In October 2021, the program was awarded an initial $1.25 million grant.

FHSU hosts one of several regional training centers within a national network under the direction of the National De-escalation Training Center (NDTC). The de-escalation training model used by center instructors expands the law enforcement officers’ ability to interact with the people they serve and defuse potential situations that otherwise may escalate into the use of force. 

The most recent grant funding source comes from the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) under the Byrne Discretionary Community Project Grants program. This program supports projects that improve the functioning of the criminal justice system. 

The Department of Criminal Justice plans to use this new funding to:

• Expand the number of law enforcement officers trained in de-escalation, both via online and in-person coursework
• Grow the program’s research capabilities to advance de-escalation as an evidence-based practice
• Host a research and training conference to disseminate lessons learned and best practices
• Support the national network of de-escalation training centers with targeted investments that will drive long-term viability
• Launch a comprehensive advertising campaign to increase the visibility of the center and increase the number of agency training partners
• Establish a prominent location on campus for the center’s offices and training spaces

“We would like to thank Senator Jerry Moran for his continued support of Fort Hays State University’s regional training center,” said Dr. Tamara Lynn, chair of the Department of Criminal Justice and director of the Regional De-escalation Training Center.

“The efforts of U.S. Senator Jerry Moran and his staff have been invaluable in securing the essential funding that drove the rapid expansion of the regional de-escalation training center at Fort Hays State University. Without Senator Moran’s support, we would not be able to train law enforcement officers in advanced de-escalation to improve encounters with citizens while also advancing community policing initiatives,”. 

For more information about the Regional De-escalation Training Center at FHSU, go to https://www.fhsu.edu/criminaljustice/regional-training-center