University News
COPS WIU DeTal Assessment & Research Center Presents Train-the-Trainer Event
May 5, 2025
MACOMB, IL - - The Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) De-Escalation Training through Active Learning (DeTal) Assessment and Research Center in the Western Illinois University Psychology Department presents a Train-the-Trainer event Monday, May 12 through Friday, May 16. This inaugural training session involves invited law enforcement officers from the Illinois and Missouri region to the WIU campus for de-escalation skills training and scenario-based practice.
The COPS DeTal Center provides de-escalation education and skill development focused on how professionals and community members see and respond to others under stress. The educational approach incorporates virtual practice to support de-escalation skill development related to communication, self-regulation, person-assessment and care for self and others.
The DeTal Center, housed in the WIU Psychology Department, provides learner-centered, evidence-based curriculum and scenario-based practice to law enforcement officers and community members in the Midwest. During the Train-the-Trainer course, participating officers will be trained in wellness-centered de-escalation skills and subsequently certified to provide training to other officers and community members in the region.
The DeTal Center is part of the COPS De-Escalation Training Network funded by the COP office through the U.S. Department of Justice. The DeTal Assessment and Research Center supports the mission of the COPS office to optimize educational and training approaches for officer communication, self-regulation, decision-making, behavioral responses and safety in service to community members.
The efforts of the COPS WIU DeTal Center to bring wellness-centered de-escalation to the regions begin with this training event. Activities are currently in place to schedule full 6-hour de-escalation skills training, mini-courses (1- to 1.5-hour) or focus group feedback (30 to 60 minutes) for the 2025 fall and 2026 spring.
For more information about the COPS DeTal Center, visit cops-detal-center.com or to schedule de-escalation training for your organization, email Project Director Kim McClure at COPS-DeTal-Center@wiu.edu.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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