The FBINAA has partnered with the Georgetown Law Center to co-host an ABLE Train-the-Trainer Program to train FBINAA members and their staffs as “At Large” ABLE trainers in this cutting-edged active bystandership program. ABLE-certified trainers will be authorized to provide ABLE training to any law enforcement agency that has been accepted into the ABLE Program. This unique FBINAA training program is by invitation-only.
Now more than ever, communities across the country, and the law enforcement agencies that serve those communities, are recognizing that first responders must do a better job intervening when necessary to prevent their colleagues from causing harm or making costly mistakes.
Years of academic research and on-the-ground experience has shown us that effective active bystandership can be taught. The Georgetown Law Center Innovative Policing Program, partnering with global law firm Sheppard Mullin, created the Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement (ABLE) Project to prepare officers to successfully intervene to prevent harm and to create a law enforcement culture that supports peer intervention.
The ABLE Project is a national hub for training, technical assistance, and research, all with the aim of creating a police culture in which officers routinely intervene as necessary to:
Law enforcement agencies selected to participate in the FBINAA/ABLE At Large program will not only attend the ABLE Train-the-Trainer, but also will receive instruction, including time with the developers of the ABLE Project, to ensure that each participant has the information, skill-set, and confidence to serve not only as an ABLE Trainer, but as a national ABLE ambassador as well.
The ABLE Train-the-Trainer Program will be delivered online or in-person over the course of four days (two full days and two 2-hour days). The FBINAA and the Georgetown Law Center Innovative Policing Program will cover all costs, except attendee travel, lodging, meals if the program is conducted in-person. For the foreseeable future, all ABLE Train-the-Trainer events are conducted via zoom.
Certified FBINAA/ABLE At Large Instructors are expected to be available to co-instruct a minimum of three ABLE programs, 8 hours each, per year in their region and at least 2 hours of annual refresher training.
Those interested in participating in the FBINAA/ABLE Train-the-Trainer Program, must submit a letter of interest to Tony Bailey, FBINAA Director of Education & Training, at tbailey@fbinaa.org.
The letter of interest must include the following required information:
At Large instructors need not be from agencies admitted into the ABLE Project, but please let us know if your agency has applied for admission into the program.
ABLE certified trainers will be available to provide on-site technical assistance, consulting, and training for those agencies that wish outside assistance. The FBINAA will provide the ABLE-certified trainers onsite to conduct the eight-hour program.
Upon completion of the ABLE Train-the-Trainer event, FBINAA/ABLE at Large instructors will be certified to teach the 8-hour ABLE program to law enforcement agencies admitted into the ABLE Project. Select certified instructors may be invited to participate in further training to become ABLE Facilitators and/or ABLE Training Instructors. Facilitators and Training Instructors are authorized to co-teach the 4-day Train-the Trainer program.
The ABLE Trainer Portal is specifically designed and is exclusive for trainers who have successfully completed the ABLE Train-the-Trainer program. Registration to the Training Portal is necessary for all ABLE-certified trainers planning on teaching the program.
The Trainer Portal will include materials and tools needed to teach the ABLE Program. These include: