The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) defines de-escalation as a method to prevent potential violence. Individuals are encouraged to use purposeful actions, verbal communications and body language to calm a potentially dangerous situation. When we think of de-escalation we normally think about police and security interactions with the public, protestors or perhaps even non-compliant situations. In reality, de-escalation is a valuable tool for teachers, front desk professionals, managers and just about anyone that works with others. Using de-escalation measures can help manage a potential bad interaction to a more civilized and respectful outcome. Formal training and field operations training combined with experience quite often can make real-time stressful situation less threatening ending with a better outcome that does not cause additional measures, especially hands-on interaction.

De-escalation is important for many reasons. Here are three of the top reasons. It reduces the risk of injury to all parties. It builds and strengthens the trust of the community. Communication is improved by using de-escalation tactics.

When security and law enforcement officers are trained and use de-escalation tactics there is a lower risk of injury. De-escalation is the process of lowering the emotions of those involved and slowing the situation down. When officers, and others, listen and communicate with a subject it provides a space for everyone to be heard and connect. Most everyone wants their voice to be heard especially if they are in a heightened emotional state. This greatly increases the chances of resolving the situation without injury. no matter what the final outcome.is. Less injury means less civil liability and less cost.

Secondly, when security/police demonstrate compassion and understanding it builds support within the community. If the community trusts those that are tasked with enforcing its rules/laws everyone is better off. This positive perspective from the people of any community makes the officer’s job easier. Better trust means better officer retention and better service to the citizens.

Lastly, using these techniques enhances the officer’s ability to communicate with the public. It in turn enhances engagement between the officer and the public. This tactic enhances the officers’ ability to listen to others in all situations, not just those that need to be de-escalated.

Open communication between those served and those providing the service will prevent small problems from becoming large problems. In an era of widespread lack of confidence in institutions of all kinds better communication is key. Better communication means we have better community engagement and collaboration.

Police and security staff must be trained in how and when to use de-escalation tactics, which will build confidence and professionalism. It is important to remember that de-escalation training and tactics never override officer safety in a deadly force encounter.

Police and security officers, along with other staff that regularly deal with the public, must be trained in de-escalation to effectively do their job, while reducing the chance of making a bad situation worse.

De-escalation training was recognized several years ago by police and private security as a crucial skill that all officers not only needed, but need to perfect in order to make their area of operation or jurisdiction safer for them to work and safer for the any problematic persons they encounter, as well as bystanders. Nearly all departments provide officers with their de-escalation training within their initial training before they can start working shifts in the field. Annual in-service training generally includes some enhanced and often scenarios based on de-escalation.

Unarmed security training on de-escalation may even be more essential because they are working a post with only pepper spray as a non-lethal form of defense. They are instructed that their best defense is to de-escalate any situation that they run across that may escalate into aggressive action. They are also trained that if de-escalation does not work to back off from the problem and call local law enforcement to intervene. Response from local law enforcement is usually swift as they recognize that private security helps to lessen their number of calls for service.

Armed officer de-escalation training may also be included in firearms simulator training. The simulator typically receives updated scenarios a couple of times a year and the scenarios can be controlled by the firearms simulator operator depending on how well the officer is using de-escalation skills. The firearms simulator instructor stresses the need for de-escalation skills to hopefully prevent from having to use deadly force or non-lethal force on a subject.

Although not the primary reason for de-escalation, police and security must be mindful of public perception of interactions between public safety (especially police) and the public. In today’s world, it seems like every encounter with the public is captured on cell phones that can also be manipulated to just show parts of an exchange between police/security and the public. On the other hand, police and security have been able to show how de-escalation proves that their own actions, especially with bodycams, being recorded justifies their actions. In other words, de-escalation should not only help diffuse a tense situation, but showing how de-escalation techniques were deployed, or at times, simply ignored, often proves the actions of an officer.

Police and security officers, along with other staff that regularly deal with the public, must be trained in de-escalation to effectively do their job, while reducing the chance of making a bad situation worse. De-escalation should enhance officer safety, as well as the safety of the person involved. De-escalation is used daily in public safety and many other civilian settings to reduce potential violent situations, and to build trust among all involved. De-escalation is particularly important during highly stressful situations like traffic stops, trespassing, special events and domestic calls. Like all public safety critical skills, effective de-escalation comes with training and experience.

Reducing the use of force through de-escalation should be a departmental goal everywhere. It will enhance public perception, help build collaborative relationships and enhance safety among everyone.