Suffield PD Joins Growing National Effort Focused On Officer Wellness, Oversight

SUFFIELD, CT — A new training program aimed at preventing misconduct before it starts is coming to the Suffield Police Department.

The department announced it has joined the Active Bystandership for Law Enforcement (ABLE) Project, a national initiative based out of Georgetown University Law Center that teaches officers how to intervene when they see a colleague about to make a mistake or cross a line.

According to the department, the training focuses on practical, peer-to-peer intervention skills designed to reduce misconduct, cut down on preventable errors and improve first responder wellness.

Police credited Chief Spencer and Paramedic Chris Johnston with coordinating the effort to bring the program to Suffield. Officials said aligning police, fire and EMS under the same intervention framework will strengthen collaboration between the town’s emergency services.

The department also announced three members have completed instructor certification and will now train the rest of the agency: Dispatcher Nick Fasano, Officer Shannon Murphy and Sgt. Geoff Miner.

National instructors Monte Chambers, Greg Hanna Jr., Paul Watkins and Dr. Abigail Tucker led the initial sessions.

The ABLE Project operates through Georgetown University and has been adopted by hundreds of law enforcement agencies nationwide as part of broader accountability and wellness efforts.