Moving the needle: can training alter officer perceptions and use of de-escalation?

Abstract

PurposeDe-escalation training for police has received widespread attention as a method for reducing unnecessary and excessive use of force. There is virtually no research on de-escalation, and as a result, there is little understanding about what it is, what it includes and whether it is effective. The current study compares attitudes about the importance and use of de-escalation among officers who were randomly assigned to participate (or not) in de-escalation training.Design/methodology/approachThe current study draws from a larger randomized controlled trial of de-escalation training in the Tempe, Arizona Police Department (TPD). Approximately 100 officers completed a survey in June–July 2019 and again in June–July 2020. TPD delivered the de-escalation training to half the patrol force in February–March 2020. The authors compare treatment and control officers' attitudes about the importance of specific de-escalation tactics, how often they use those tactics and their sentiments de-escalation training. The authors employ an econometric random-effects model to examine between-group differences post-training while controlling for relevant officer attributes including age, race, sex, prior training and squad-level pretraining attitudes about de-escalation.FindingsTreatment and control officers reported positive perceptions of de-escalation tactics, frequent use of those tactics and favorable attitudes toward de-escalation before and after the training. After receiving the training, treatment officers placed greater importance on compromise, and reported more frequent use of several important tactics including compromise, knowing when to walk away and maintaining officer safety.Originality/valueOnly a few prior studies have has examined whether de-escalation training changes officer attitudes. The results from the current study represent an initial piece of evidence suggesting de-escalation training may lead to greater use of those tactics by officers during encounters with citizens.

Assessing the impact of de‐escalation training on police behavior: Reducing police use of force in the Louisville, KY Metro Police Department

“…Research is currently underway to evaluate a customized de‐escalation training program designed by the Tempe (AZ) Police Department (White, 2021; White et al., 2021). Initial findings from this RCT evaluation show that both treatment and control group officers had positive attitudes toward de‐escalation tactics and self‐reported frequently using them, however, trained officers reported greater importance of compromise in encounters with citizens and using more de‐escalation tactics based on specific components of the training (i.e., compromise, maintaining officer safety, and knowing when to disengage).…”

Police Uses of Force in the USA: a Wealth of Theories and a Lack of Evidence

“…Following these initial studies, a number of experimental evaluations have been conducted to test for differences in administrative reports of uses of force. These include an evaluation of Polis Solutions’ T3 training program by McLean and colleagues (McLean et al, 2020 ), an evaluation of PERF’s ICAT program by Engel and colleagues (Engel et al, 2022 ), an evaluation of procedural justice training by Wood and colleagues (Wood et al, 2020 ), and an evaluation of de-escalation training by White and colleagues (White et al, 2021a , b ).…”

“…White and colleagues (White et al, 2021a , b ) recently published their evaluation of a de-escalation training program in the Tempe Police Department (TPD) that found no impact on officers’ uses of force. However, as the authors note: [A]dministrative use of force and injury data are blunt measures that might not capture the impact of the training.…”

Reimagining the Use of Force by Police in a Post-Floyd Nation

“…Much more work needs to be done to evaluate the impact of de-escalation training on outcomes such as civilian complaints and use of force. For now, agencies seeking to increase officer training on de-escalation techniques and tactics may want to explore either ICAT or T3 while the evaluation results of other trainings are ongoing (White et al, 2021).…”