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Proposal Abstract Proposal Abstract (must be brief high-level project description that summarizes the proposed project in 5–6 sentences / 500 words or less) Buckeye De-Escalation and Crisis Response Training Enhancement De-escalation and crisis intervention are an ever-growing public safety need in Buckeye, especially with those who are experiencing mental health crises or those who have physical or mental disabilities. The Buckeye Police Department (BPD) prioritizes de-escalation in all calls for service, especially when responding to persons in crisis. BPD has a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) program comprised of two teams, with each team consisting of a licensed mental health clinician and a BPD sworn officer. Additionally, BPD requires all sworn officers to complete initial and annual refresher training courses regarding crisis intervention, people with mental and physical disabilities, and de-escalation tactics and trainings. BPD has a virtual reality decision-making simulation tool that all BPD sworn personnel are required to complete on an annual basis. The current simulation tool only provides officers with a prop handgun and a prop taser, which limits the use of force options to which BPD officers have access on a daily basis while on the job. BPD believes that training is pertinent to effectively and efficiently serve and protect the public. This current requested project proposes the acquisition and implementation of a new virtual reality simulation tool that has more use of force options, which more closely align with real use of force options that BPD officers may use. The use of force options included with the proposed virtual reality de-escalation training system include a handgun (Glock), a BolaWrap, Pepper Spray, a rifle, and a taser. By adding virtual reality training on additional use of force options, de-escalation resolutions are more likely to occur while on the job. BPD also prioritizes de-escalation tactics for its dispatchers. This virtual reality training system can also be utilized by dispatchers with realistic calls for service. This proposal also seeks to fund a new civilian position dedicated to training for de-escalation and response to persons in crisis. All of the aforementioned items will directly contribute to a better resolution and increased de-escalation, thus minimizing the use of force options. The virtual reality training system directly addresses these public safety needs as it enables BPD personnel to be better prepared to properly respond and de-escalate situations that would otherwise potentially result in injuries without the proper crisis intervention and de-escalation training. In 2024, BPD received 514 calls for services that included a mental health component or substance use, in which BPD’s Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) was deployed (2024 annual report). In comparison, 2023’s CIT calls for service were only 132, meaning that there was a 289% increase in CIT calls for service (638472307122000000). Buckeye is also one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, with an estimated population of 114,000 in July 2024 (Buckeye among fastest growing cities in Arizona per reports - InBuckeye.com), which lends itself to additional like-kind cases. BPD anticipates an increase in calls for service for crisis intervention and the need for de-escalation training. Additionally, new police recruits and dispatchers will need to be trained in these community policing strategies.