A Practical Overview of De-Escalation Skills in Law Enforcement: Helping Individuals in Crisis While Reducing Police Liability and Injury

Abstract

Basic de-escalation skills training, such as that included in the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training curriculum, is a law enforcement training experience designed to equip police officers with knowledge and skills that enable them to initiate specific actions to de-escalate a crisis situation. This type of training involves the acquisition of effective communication and active listening skills, as well as other de-escalation techniques, in addition to role-playing, which involves the demonstration of and practice using the desired skills. De-escalation techniques can be an effective intervention tool that not only helps individuals who are in crisis but also reduces police liability and injury. When an officer applies de-escalation skills appropriately, the probability that he or she will effectively intervene in a crisis is increased and the need for using physical force is minimized.