What is Evidence-Based De-escalation Training?

De-escalation training is easy to say, but harder to execute. However, the science is clear that evidence-based de-escalation techniques are worth the effort to reduce the need to use force by law enforcement, healthcare professionals, and other frontline workers, leading to better situational outcomes and safer communities. De-escalation is more than just talking someone down; it encapsulates a variety of techniques, including verbal and non-verbal, that need to be practiced and honed to increase the positive effects. Let’s take a look at what de-escalation training entails and examine the main techniques that are used.

Evidence-based de-escalation training

Evidence-based de-escalation training focuses on scientific analysis on what de-escalation techniques work, rather than assumptions. A training course or program is considered evidence-based if it utilizes research from peer-reviewed publications with high internal and external validity that shows statistically significant positive changes in frontline worker or law enforcement and public interactions from implementing their findings (Krameddine, 2017). In other words, instead of training based on anecdotes or feelings, evidence-based training uses real data that is backed up by repeatable results.

Verbal and non-verbal communication

Your tone of voice, the words you choose, and your non-verbal actions like body language, kinesics (body movements and gestures), and proxemics (how close you are to someone else – “personal space”) should all be considered during any public encounter. Verbal and non-verbal communication have a symbiotic relationship with each other, where both forms of communication showcase how the person is thinking and feeling towards a situation.

Verbal communication is relatively straightforward; thinking before you speak and responding with an assertive, but a patient tone and using polite language is standard for de-escalation. Non-verbal communication is a bit more difficult in that some of it is unconscious, and in order to control it, you need to be mindful of your personal tendencies and behaviors and be prepared to change them for certain situations. For instance, one study reveals that non-verbal communication is foundational, even more than verbal communication, in determining a positive or negative impression between law enforcement and suspects (Otu, 2015).

Imagine this scenario: you’re out partying with some friends at a well-known bar in your city or town, and the festivities continue long into the night. At some point, you all decide to take a walk, admiring the sights and sounds of a weekend nightlife. At some point along your walk, you see a tall fence in front of a park and proudly declare to your friends that you can scale it, no problem. As you climb, what you don’t know is that the other side of the fence is not a public park, but private property. Nearing the top, you hear the familiar sound of police sirens, and turn your head to be greeted with a sea of flashing red and blue. Struggling to get down, you finally land on your feet – only to be greeted head-on with a waiting police officer.

 Considering this scenario, which version of the officer below would you rather deal with?

Sources:

Krameddine, Y. Expert Report for the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services. De-escalation Training: Scientific Review and Recommendations (in press). In Andersen, J.P., Di Nota, P.M., Poplawski, S., Pitel, M., Zurowski, J., and Azmi, P. (2017). The Science Behind De-escalation and Use of Force Decision-Making: Policy Recommendations for Police Training. Submitted to Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, June 2017.

Otu, Noel. Decoding nonverbal communication in law enforcement [online]. Salus Journal, Vol. 3, No. 2, 2015: 1-16. Availability: <https://search.informit.com.au/documentSummary;dn=264350093655814;res=IELHSS> ISSN: 2202-5677. [cited 22 Sep 20].