ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) - Virginia's attorney general is launching an initiative across the state to train police officers how to use force appropriately, de-escalate dangerous situations and recognize potential biases they may bring to the job.
At a press conference Tuesday in Arlington, Attorney General Mark Herring said he was motivated to act over the last year after rioting in Ferguson, Missouri, and Baltimore. He acknowledged that Virginia has had incidents of its own that have called into question whether police have used excessive force or might be targeting minorities.
Herring says the training will not be mandatory, but will be made available to police agencies across the state. And he says local agencies are eager for the opportunity.
The training will highlight bias awareness, professionalism, use of force, de-escalation and impartial policing.
