SPD outlines training plan to meet state law mandate; department adds ICAT and 'SafeRep' restraint training

Captain Wheeler, an SPD captain and former academy commander, briefed the committee on the department's training plan to meet the Law Enforcement and Community Safety Act (referred to in the meeting as ‘Litaxa’).

Wheeler said the department is running multi-day in‑service modules that combine reality‑based scenarios with instruction on constitutional policing, evidence collection and medical response, and that the city legal office (Andy Duggan) will lead constitutional‑policing training in the upcoming in‑service. He described a two‑track approach: 24 hours of required in‑person patrol tactics and 16 hours of CJTC online coursework, with an internal audit process to ensure compliance ahead of the 01/01/2028 deadline.

“We have currently … 150 of those 332 commissioned that have already been through that patrol tactics in service. That's 45% that have already done that,” Wheeler said, adding that 213 of 332 commissioned officers have taken at least one online course and that the training division will run sessions through 2027 to close the gap.

Wheeler described new curriculum elements the department will adopt: ICAT (Integrated Communications, Assessment and Tactics), delivered as a standalone six‑hour block, and a SafeRep‑style restraint technique the department plans to train via a train‑the‑trainer model. He said SafeRep avoids prone cuffing and minimizes chest compression, allowing officers to monitor an individual’s airway and medical status while maintaining control.

Council members asked how online coursework retention will be measured. Wheeler replied that the in‑person patrol tactics block incorporates and reinforces online modules and that retention and compliance will be audited by the training unit and reinforced through chain‑of‑command reminders.

Council members also asked about costs. Chief Hall said training costs are embedded in the department budget and that leadership would continue to look for community‑driven training options.

The committee did not vote on training policy at this meeting; members asked staff to continue updates on compliance rates, instructor capacity and outcomes tied to training investments.