TalentSmartEQ, together with Mountain State Educational Service Center (ESC), proudly announces a ceremonial ribbon cutting for The West Virginia Law Enforcement Initiative: Project EQ. Scheduled for February 21st, 2024, at the Governor's Cabinet and Conference Room in Charleston, WV, this event celebrates a groundbreaking step towards integrating emotional intelligence (EQ) in law enforcement training across the state.

The inception of Project EQ was driven by a pressing need to address the challenges faced by law enforcement in engaging with diverse communities, particularly highlighted by the events of July 2020.

In a significant development on August 10, 2023, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced the allocation of $4,043,000 from the U.S. Department of Justice for eight pivotal projects aimed at enhancing public safety and bolstering law enforcement efforts across West Virginia. Among these, the Mountain State ESC has been awarded $892,000 for Project Emotional Intelligence, underscoring the project's critical role in advancing law enforcement training and community engagement through the development of emotional intelligence competencies. This funding is a testament to the project's significance and its potential impact on public safety and law enforcement efficacy in West Virginia.

Errol Randle of Mountain State ESC mentioned, “I am so proud that Project EQ is happening here with Mountain State. This is historic in nature. We have an opportunity to train every single police officer in this state, ensuring not only that our citizens receive a better product when it comes to policing but also that families of policing have better husbands, better dads, better brothers, better sisters as a result."

The initiative seeks to equip officers with the skills necessary to manage emotions, understand unconscious biases, and foster positive community interactions and will train over 4,500 officers throughout the state over the next three years. Through this partnership, TalentSmartEQ and Mountain State ESC aim to transform law enforcement culture, prioritizing empathy, understanding, and effective communication to build trust and enhance public safety all through the power of emotional intelligence.

Dr. Greg Campbell of TalentSmartEQ shared, “It all starts with the health and well-being of law enforcement officers. If we provide them with the tools needed to effectively handle the various situations they encounter and then give them the skills needed to manage their emotions in the heat of the moment, we can set them up for success. That all starts with emotional intelligence.”

Howard Farfel, CEO of TalentSmartEQ added, “We are immensely proud to be partnering with the state of West Virginia to train thousands of police officers in emotional intelligence skills. We are committed to supporting law enforcement professionals to better understand and manage their own emotions and the emotions of others, and helping them foster strong, empathetic relationships with the community.”

About TalentSmartEQ

TalentSmartEQ is the premier provider of emotional intelligence solutions, offering assessments, training, and coaching to empower individuals and organizations to achieve their highest potential. Specializing in evidence-based strategies, TalentSmartEQ's programs are designed to improve leadership, teamwork, and communication in diverse environments.

For more information, please contact:

Jake Northern, Director of Marketing

Phone: (619) 609-4848

Email: [email protected]