Enhancing law enforcement skills: A two-year report on Level 3 de-escalation training from the National De-escalation Training Center

Abstract

Police officers must approach volatile situations that may escalate on a frequent basis. As first responders, they often do not have the luxury of ignoring conflict in public and must work to resolve the situation. However, officers’ presence may inadvertently escalate situations, leading to coercive responses, injury, or worse. The National De-Escalation Training Center (NDTC) has received $4.75 million dollars to provide de-escalation training that incorporates rapid personality assessment, mental health issue recognition, and situational awareness built on a procedural justice foundation. Using data from the first two years of trainings conducted across the U.S., we have found that NDTC training dramatically improves officers’ ability to recognize levels of escalation, tailor their response to the individuals’ personality types, and respond effectively. This has significant implications for de-escalation training of police as well as the larger debate surrounding law enforcement in the U.S.

Abigail Hayes

Ph.D. Student

My research focuses on the issues and operations of correctional institutions, violence in carceral spaces, and the reentry process of formerly incarcerated individuals.