Long Beach
Police Department

The Long Beach Police Department is proud to announce that it has been accepted into the Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement (ABLE) Project. The Georgetown Law Center Innovative Policing Program, partnering with global law firm Sheppard Mullin, has created the ABLE Project with the intention of educating and preparing officers to successfully intervene when called upon, and create a law enforcement culture that supports peer intervention.

Backed by prominent civil rights and law enforcement leaders, this evidence-based, field-tested program will provide our officers with practical active bystandership strategies and tactics they will use when faced with potentially inappropriate actions by their peers. The training will not only help reduce mistakes and prevent misconduct, but it also promotes self-care and health/wellness strategies to help our officers reduce stress and focus on making positive connections with our community.

“I am extremely grateful for the support we received throughout the application process of this nationally recognized program,” said LBPD Chief Wally Hebeish. “Our acceptance and participation in the ABLE Project will reinforce our commitment to the health, wellness, and safety of our officers and our entire Long Beach Community.”

Long Beach Police instructors are currently being certified as ABLE trainers, and over the coming months, all sworn Police Officers and Special Service Officers will begin receiving eight hours of active bystandership training.

By adopting the ABLE training module, the Long Beach Police Department joins a select group of 100+ law enforcement agencies and statewide and regional training academies from across the country who have demonstrated a firm commitment to transformational law enforcement reform with support from local community groups and elected leaders.

For more information on the ABLE Project, review the program’s website at: www.law.georgetown.edu/cics/able/.