10-04-2025
Police training seeks to reduce officer mistakes, misconduct
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Columbus police said nearly 1,800 officers have taken part in training aimed at reducing officer mistakes and misconduct.
The Active Bystander for Law Enforcement (ABLE) training was developed by Georgetown University.
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ABLE coordinator Lt. Kiara Husband said the training is about promoting officer wellness, which means a safer community.
'I go back to, 'We're all human. We all have good days and bad days,'' she said.
She said the training's concept is something the department has always promoted but gives it a name and focus.
ABLE teaches officers to notice when something is off and how to step in.
'We all have lives outside of this place and if you had a bad day at home and it's causing you to come to work and be a little bit more snappy or aggressive than normal, and maybe your coworker picks up on that and talks to you on the side, because then that can translate how you treat the public, not intentionally, but it could also be in the moment,' Husband said.
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The eight-hour course is receiving good feedback, Husband said.
'We've actually had it happen in real life where I've been told there have been on runs where people have seen somebody getting heightened, like when a scene is rapidly evolving and a supervisor taps somebody on the shoulder and said, 'Hey, dude, ABLE step out,'' she said.
Husband said ABLE is not defined by rank — a new officer could check on a superior and check on themselves.
'How you are at work translates how you are at home and then that also translates how you are at work, translates how you treat the citizens on the street and so, yes, they translate to a better community,' she said.
Husband said every new recruit class will go through the training before graduating and hitting the streets.
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