The feedback we have received from our instructors has been overwhelmingly positive, despite the fact that ABLE pushes officers to rethink much about current police culture and challenges officers to tackle difficult issues, from preventing misconduct, to telling a ranking officer they are about to make a mistake, to having a courageous conversation with a colleague facing mental health issues.

Below is a sampling of some of the feedback we have received. We thank these officers not only for their candid comments, but for their willingness to share them publicly.

ABLE’S Impact on Law Enforcement Officers

“This training is long overdue, but I am confident the members of my agency will not only receive the information, but will refer to their training when faced with making ethical and moral choices. Every law enforcement agency should adopt this training!” — Acting Deputy Chief Deirdre R. Jones, Cleveland Division of Police

“An ABLE minded officer is an ethical officer. This class is central to making well rounded officers, and for an officer to survive a 20 year career. Definitely recommend all LEO take this class.” — Lieutenant Peter D. Russell, New Hampshire Police Standards and Training Council

“I did not know exactly what to expect when I came to class. However, it became clear to me early on that ABLE is something special and different. It is that specialness and differentness that sets it apart from other types of training that try—but fail—to establish a mindset of accountability for not only ourselves, but our brothers and sisters as well. The top-down / bottom-up approach will change the traditional way of thinking: rock – paper – rank. Why? Because it empowers all of us to be Active Bystanders. One person can make a difference. I consider myself to be ready, willing, and ABLE.” — Lieutenant Justin I. Paquette, New Hampshire Police Standards & Training Council

“Taking the ABLE training course has enABLEed me to enABLE others to help save lives, careers, reputations, and police-to-community relationships…This course literally teaches ‘trained observers’ how to look for and recognize often overlooked crises. Every professional, especially those in high-stress/high-risk positions, MUST receive ABLE training. It is literally a life-saving, career-saving empowerment!” — Sergeant Tim Veal, Philadelphia Police Department

“ABLE training is just as important as firearms training! You wouldn’t put your men and women on the streets without a firearm, why would you fail them by not teaching them how to intervene, reduce police mistakes, prevent police misconduct or promote health and wellness within your agency?” — Lieutenant Jeremy Colhouer, Pasco (FL) Sheriff’s Office

ABLE’S Impact on Agency Culture

“There is an exciting push for culture change within Law Enforcement and I’m proud to be a part of it. I don’t want to wonder if I’m on the right side of history when I put my uniform on. I want to know that I’m a part of that push to be better.” — Sergeant David Tedesco, United States Capitol Police

“ABLE is an 8 hour course that somehow manages to take the complexities of law enforcement culture and the lived experience of officers and blend it with real case studies and academic research into a cohesive and compelling foundation and toolset for change. This is going to be a key tool for organizations looking to evolve their culture in positive ways while retaining the core values of what it is to be a law enforcement agency.” — Kendrick Abell, civilian, Ottawa Police Service

“As the law enforcement profession recovers and gains back the communities trust, ABLE is absolutely necessary to change the culture. ABLE gives law enforcement professionals the tools they need to effect the change that the community deserves.” — Deputy Stephania Morgan, Buncombe County (NC) Sheriff’s Department

ABLE’S Impact on Community Relations

“ABLE addresses the concerns of both the public and law enforcement. While being sensitive to public perception, this is a course that emphasizes officer safety and prevention. This is about saving careers not ending them!” — Captain Lafate Elliott Day Jr., Lafource Parish (LA) Sheriff’s Office

“Officers are well-trained and very comfortable in taking control of stressful scenes during their shifts, however, we have traditionally failed our cops by not teaching them how to help one another when they are in their own stressful situations. The collateral benefits of ABLE will positively impact our officers, our agencies, and the members of the communities we serve every day. Focusing on our people through a positively-framed training program like ABLE will send the right message to those on the frontlines and to those that they serve.” — Lieutenant William D. Walsh, Voorhees (NJ) Police Department

“As an African American male after the George Floyd incident I struggled with, ‘where do I place myself.’ I have the community and friends that look like me feeling in uproar towards officers while looking to me for answers. On the other side I am a sworn officer with obligations to protect and serve. I was at a loss. Stuck in space wondering how I could serve both without judgment and/or scrutiny. I starting doing some investigation and I came across a perfect solution to my dilemma. That solution was ABLE! ABLE has given me the necessary tools to be the change by teaching and expressing the need for active bystandership through intervention and prevention. Thanks for the assistance!!” — Warden Cortrell Davis, Lafourche Parish (LA) Sheriff’s Office

ABLE’S High-Quality Training and Instruction

“ABLE training is put together and structured very well. The facilitators are genuine people that bring passion and expertise to the learning environment. I not only left the training thinking I can be a better Police Officer but maybe a better person.” — Sergeant John Magee, Hamilton County (OH) Sheriff’s Office

“The first session that I was in, I didn’t know what ABLE was all about and how it would fit into our agency. Sitting in these sessions with all the professional instructors with ABLE and the experienced Law Enforcement Officers in the sessions, I got a real good understanding of what ABLE is and how much that it will not only help our agency and our community but law enforcement as a whole throughout this country. I am so excited with presenting this well-needed project to our agency.” — Captain Kelvin Hargrove, Wilmington (NC) Police Department

“The ABLE program gives clear guidance on intervention techniques that have proven successful in both the public and private sector. The program educates employees in strategies that will assist them in being an active bystander as well as on the skills and actions needed to intervene in situations amongst peers, subordinates, and superiors before mistakes or misconduct escalates to devastating results. I look forward to implementing the ABLE program as part of the Academy curriculum.” — Captain Phillip Terenzi, Boston Police Department