NYPD reportedly being told to 'take a deep breath' during tense situations

As part of the New York Police Department's $35 million "smart policing" program, officers are reportedly being told to close their eyes and take a deep breath when dealing with a tense situation.

According to the New York Post, about 80 percent of the NYPD who went through the retraining seminar labeled it a ''waste of time,'' and the Post reports that several cops elected to keep their eyes shut during the program — and fell asleep in their seats.

One source cited by the Post said part of the training consisted of breathing exercises, and that officers were told "if you find yourself in a situation that's getting heated, take a step back, close your eyes, and take a deep breath."

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The Wall Street Journal reports that Mike Julien, the NYPD deputy commissioner for training, said, "What we are teaching [the cops] is how to control that anger, channel that anger," adding that, "I think you will see behavioral changes very soon."