LAPD detective Teresa Irvin was named the recipient of the California Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) Individual Achievement award on April 20 for the work and training she has done in several key law enforcement training strategies.

Irvin is assigned to the Mental Evaluation Unit, Crisis Response Support Section, Detective Support and Vice Division.

Irvin is a 17-year veteran of the department and is also an Emergency Training Instructor and has presented training at various conferences including the California Association of Hostage Negotiators Conferences.

Irvin received the award for helping in the development and implementation of a strategy to conduct post incident debriefs of persons involved in critical incidents, such as barricades, hostage stand offs and attempted suicides. The post-incident debriefs have been compiled to provide a unique perspective and useful tool for the successful de-escalation and resolution of future incidents.

Irvin also helped implement a “returning veteran strategy” to address calls involving returning veterans who have experienced combat during their deployment.

Irvin was able to facilitate training to first responders on how to better handle critical incidents involving veterans while providing minimal risk to both parties.

Irvin was also involved with developing a Crisis Communication Course to provide first responders with effective tools in order to deescalate a crisis, and helped facilitate several seminars on “Targeted School Violence” to help school officials and staff work with students during incidents on school campuses.

The POST Excellence in Training Awards were established in 1994 to encourage innovation, quality and effectiveness of peace officer training, and to recognize outstanding law enforcement trainers. Each year the commission recognizes individuals and an organization that has contributed to the  effectiveness of law enforcement.

The two other categories of the awards include the Lifetime Achievement Award and the award for Organizational Achievement.

All selected recipients will be honored with a prestigious trophy at the POST Commission Meeting on June 23 in Sacramento. In addition, names of the recipients will be inscribed on a plaque that is permanently located at POST in Sacramento.