University of Pittsburgh Police Department joins peer intervention program

The University of Pittsburgh Police Department has been accepted into the Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement (ABLE) Project, joining a select group of over 70 other law enforcement agencies and training academies from across the country.

The ABLE Project is Georgetown University Law Center’s national training and support initiative for U.S. law enforcement agencies committed to building a culture of peer intervention that prevents harm. 

Backed by prominent civil rights and law enforcement leaders and developed by Georgetown Law’s Innovative Policing Program in collaboration with global law firm Sheppard Mullin LLP, the ABLE Project provides practical active bystandership strategies and tactics to prevent misconduct, reduce mistakes and promote health and wellness. 

“By supporting the mission of the Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement Project, our officers continue to show their commitment to Pitt Police’s core values of integrity, respect, service and fairness,” said University of Pittsburgh Chief of Police James Loftus.

Training across all campus Pitt Police departments will continue through the summer. All new officers will be required to take ABLE Project training to ensure they are utilizing the best practices of active bystandership and peer intervention.

— Sharon S. Blake