Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Gov. Gary Herbert says he's in favor of allotting increased state funds to train more police officers about how to deescalate encounters.
Herbert said at his monthly televised news conference on KUED-TV that officers should know how to diffuse situations, which often occur with people undergoing mental health crises.
He also advocated providing police with body cameras and putting cameras in patrol vehicles to keep everybody honest.
Utah lawmakers have held two recent sessions to review law enforcement practices in the state following a spate of officer-involved deaths across the U.S. No legislation is on the table yet.
State officials told the legislative panel that about $150,000 is spent annually to give de-escalation training to about 900 new officers per year.
Herbert says most Utah police officers are doing a good job.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
