(The Center Square) – A Springfield Black Lives Matter organizer hopes a training event several members of the group took part in with Illinois State Police on Saturday will be a model moving forward for elsewhere throughout the state and the country.

“Police officers make split-second decisions every day in order to effectively protect the public,” ISP Col. Tim Tyler said in a statement. “It is extremely vital, that our officers are trained to this capacity and know-how to effectively de-escalate situations when possible. Likewise, it is extremely important to know which appropriate action is required in order to maintain officer and public safety. Education is important not only for those we train but also for the public and those we protect.”