ILEE staff recently completed an extensive update on this course. We have incorporated the concepts that had been presented in our Perception of Danger course with the information in our previous version of Tactical Communications: The Art of De-Escalation. The result is a two-day, comprehensive dive into realistic de-escalation.

Public safety professionals are frequently tasked with dealing with a variety of differing personalities when encountering the public. Some of these encounters can be characterized as negative in nature. Most violent encounters begin with a breakdown in the communication process between the law enforcement or treatment professional and the individual they have encountered. Many times, these incidents begin with non-verbal cues indicating an attack is about to occur. What is said and done during these critical moments can determine whether the outcome is a positive one or the situation erodes into a physical encounter and, quite possibly, a civil liability concern.

This course examines the perceptions that many outside law enforcement have about law enforcement de-escalation and compares that with the realities faced on the street. We take a long look at the tactical considerations involved with the de-escalation process while also examining the training needs required to be more successful in influencing behavior for people in conflict and in crisis. We look at verbal skills, non-verbal behaviors, and effective intervention techniques that are instrumental in defusing conflict situations. This will allow the individual professional to increase their chances of ending the encounter on a positive note, thereby minimizing the danger posed by individuals being fueled by contaminated thinking.

Specific topics covered include effective methods of communication, barriers to communication, non-verbal communication, de-escalation techniques and tactical considerations. The course is designed to cover each of the topics mentioned while also delving into other areas such as proxemics and kinesics and how each is involved in defusing escalating situations. In addition, we discuss the threat-assessment process as well as post-event professional articulation. These tactical communications and de-escalation techniques are being presented to enable departments and individuals to learn skills designed to prevent potential conflicts from spiraling out of control, stressing that a positive outcome is the desired goal of each citizen interaction.

When trained in communications and de-escalation techniques, the environment that we work in improves and the threat of conflict, violence, and civil litigation is greatly reduced.

This course focuses mainly on street encounters and dealing with people in crisis. While most of the material is geared toward police officers, de-escalation techniques can be applicable across a wide variety of public safety professions. However, most of the videos utilized in this course and discussion about said videos is geared toward the street encounter.