South Euclid Police Chief Kevin Nietert pointed to police body cam video of the recent arrest of two suspected car thieves, the arrest handled without incident.
The arrest was led by South Euclid officer Joe Di Lillo, and shows Di Lillo handling the situation with efficiency and restraint, despite a heated foot pursuit minutes earlier.
"It's all about maintain emotional control and emotional intelligence," explained Nietert.
"The more we can do to educate officers to make them aware of how they can maintain their emotions, the better off we're going to be."
Nietert said officers also need to know that they'll be held accountable if they don't do the right things during an arrest.
Earlier this week Ashtabula Sheriff's Deputy James Truckey was indicted on charges of felonious assault, tampering with records and assault, after he allegedly struck Edward Dirrigl in the face following a chase.
Dirrigl wasn't charged, and was handcuffed, and on his stomach when Truckey allegedly hit him.
Nietert agreed more specific de-escalation training could be valuable in helping officers "cool down" their emotions following a heated pursuit.
"Certainly in the police academy they talk about how your blood pressure is gong to be up, your heart rate is going to be up, and the effects that those have on you when you get in these situations," said Nietert.
"But there's no real specific course addressing it."
