1. UNT Dallas
  2. Caruth Police Institute
  3. ABLE Center of Excellence

Texas ABLE Center of Excellence

officers leaving station

The Texas ABLE Center of Excellence (ACE)

officer in classroomThe ACE is the only organization in Texas designated by Georgetown School of Law Center for Innovations in Community Safety as an approved representative, technical assistance, and statewide freestanding training center for ABLE.  The ACE provides free technical assistance, policy development, consultation and training on site as well as can send trainers to your department at no charge for TCOLE approved ABLE training (8 hours) and TCOLE approved ABLE refresher training (2 hours) upon request.

The ACE is a collaboration between the ABLE Project at Georgetown School of Law, Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute (Meadows Institute), the Caruth Police Institute, and is funded by a generous grant from the Texas Instruments Foundation.

 

ABLE Vision and Mission

Vision: The Vision of the Texas ABLE Center of Excellence To create a bold and progressive initiative that makes Texas the national leader on one of the most important issues facing our nation. To improve outcomes across Texas communities, promote healthy community relationships, while explicitly recognizing that law enforcement officers are under a broader range of stressors that too often result in tragic ends, including excessive use of force, increased risk of suicide, and other negative health effects.

Mission: The goal of this mission is to reduce mistakes, misconduct, and improve overall workforce health, wellness, and retention of the finest law enforcement officers in the country - Texas law enforcement.

ABLE Details

Is ABLE just a training program?

No, ABLE is a department-wide program which includes officer awareness and wellness integration and departmental policy updates; all of which the ACE will support through development at no cost.

According to the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) report Peer Bystander Intervention in Law Enforcement Agencies, the adoption of peer bystander intervention policies and practices can not only enhance community relationships and reduce citizen complaints but, by reducing incidences of misconduct and use of excessive force, can increase officer safety and wellness, too. An intervention can save an officer’s career and reputation. Knowing that their colleagues will step in if necessary can add immeasurably to every officer’s peace of mind.

 

Is ABLE just for large departments?

ABLE can benefit agencies of all sizes, including municipal, county, parish, state, and campus police as well as sheriffs’ offices. Federal law enforcement agencies have expressed interest in joining as well. It provides training in best practices but does so in a way that agencies can adapt to fit their own needs and culture. 

The ACE will help you develop a schedule that fits your department’s needs, including training with other area agencies, using ACE trainers, and using two 4-hour blocks of ABLE training rather than one 8 hour block if your department needs to adjust the hours dedicated at one time.

 

Who will be ABLE trained?

ABLE is a program designed to be taught to all law enforcement officers throughout the department.  All sworn personnel, no matter the rank, experience level, and/or position will be trained in ABLE.

 

What does ABLE training cost your department?

ABLE is provided at no cost to most law enforcement agencies.

 

Is ABLE widely adopted?

  • 210+ ABLE trained agencies across the US
  • 1,330+ Instructors
  • 39 US states represented
  • 3 Canadian Provinces
  • 121,750+ officers at ABLE Agencies
  • 74+ Million community members served by ABLE trained officers

Mapping by Mapline

*"Map of Texas ABLE Agencies. Click on each pin for more detail. For pins with numbers, click on the pin to open the area for multi-agency detail. Agencies marked with a red asterick are committed to the program and are pending application acceptance." 

 

How is the community involved in ABLE?

ABLE is intentionally designed to play a role in strengthening the relationship between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve.  Specifically, not changing the rhetoric of policing but rather by changing the nature of policing.  It helps communities realize both the goal of reducing policing harm, as well as transforming police culture. 

 

Why does it benefit your department?

  • Achieve organizational excellence
  • Enhance community engagement
  • Promote a positive culture
  • Reduce misconduct and mistakes
  • Promote officer health and wellness
  • Deliver high-quality police services
  • Empower police officers to intervene
  • Strengthen relationships