Why police should be trained in de-escalation strategies?
Police officers who develop proper de-escalation techniques, use them when appropriate, and mitigate the need for force will see improved job performance. Most importantly, individual officers will reduce their chances of being assaulted, mitigate their risk of being sued, and become more effective at their job.
What is a good de-escalation technique?
Avoid over-reacting. “Remain calm, rational, and professional. While you cannot control the person's behavior, how you respond to their behavior can affect whether the situation escalates or defuses. Empathize with feelings, not behavior.”
What are some police de-escalation techniques?
- Slowing down an encounter by “backing off” from immediate intervention or action.
- Be compassionate but firm, in communicating and “defusing” a tense situation before escalation by either an officer or citizen occurs.
- Use discretion to the officer's advantage.
What are some ways to de-escalate a conflict?
- Appear calm and self-assured even if you don't feel it.
- Maintain limited eye contact and be at the same eye level.
- Maintain a neutral facial expression.
- Place your hands in front of your body in an open and relaxed position.
- Don't shrug your shoulders.
What are two things you can do to resolve or de-escalate conflict?
- Be Empathic and Nonjudgmental. Do not judge or be dismissive of the feelings of the person in distress.
- Respect Personal Space.
- Use Nonthreatening Nonverbals.
- Keep Your Emotional Brain in Check.
- Focus on Feelings.
- Ignore Challenging Questions.
- Set Limits.
- Choose Wisely What You Insist Upon.