Police Training and Independent Review Act of 2026

States can receive grants if they require law enforcement officers and academy enrollees to complete training on fair and impartial policing, which covers anti-bias, cultural diversity, crisis intervention, and de-escalation tactics as described in Section 3062(a)(1). This is positive because it aims to improve how police officers interact with the public, including individuals with mental illness or disabilities.

Officers and academy enrollees are required to complete at least 8 hours of initial training and at least 4 hours of training every year thereafter, and must demonstrate proficiency through scenario-based tests under Section 3062(a)(1)(D) and Section 3062(a)(2). This ensures that officers are regularly tested and keep their skills sharp in real-world scenarios.

States must enact statutes requiring independent investigations and prosecutions when a law enforcement officer's use of deadly force results in death or injury, utilizing methods like civilian review boards, the State attorney general, special prosecutors, or independent agencies under Section 3063 and Section 3064(2) and (3). This is a positive step for accountability when dealing with officer-involved use of deadly force.