CDP unveils new ICAT program

The Center for Domestic Preparedness is completing the first on-campus delivery this week of its new Integrating Communications Assessment and Tactics (ICAT) training program.

Through lectures and exercises, the class teaches law enforcement officers how to deescalate a crisis. Scenarios used in ICAT are taken from real-world events and include encounters with persons with mental health issues or involved in domestic violence.

Originally developed by the Police Executive Research Forum, with input from police professionals across the United States, ICAT is designed specifically for situations involving persons who are unarmed, or are armed with weapons other than firearms, and experiencing a crisis. 

According to its description, the training program is anchored by the Critical Decision-Making Model that helps officers assess situations, make safe and effective decisions, and document and learn from their actions.  ICAT incorporates the essential building blocks of critical thinking, crisis intervention, communications and tactics, putting them together in an integrated approach to training, it adds.

The CDP first presented ICAT last month to 30 law enforcement officers attending the Utah Peace Officers Association’s annual summer conference.

John Sindt, judge advocate for the UPOA, said his organization was excited to be the first recipient of the CDP training.

ICAT is useful to anyone in law enforcement “because these scenarios arise everywhere,” he said.