Crisis Communications and De-Escalation for Police Communicators

This one-day course is designed to help police communicators understand and deal with individuals who are suffering mental illness or in a state of crisis. Communicators play an important role in major incidents and this course will allow communicators to gain an understanding of the requirements and responsibilities of the Command Triangle, Critical Incident Commander, Crisis Negotiating Team, Tactical Team, Command Post, and Scene Manager in order to understand their own critical roles and responsibilities and become part of the communal team effort and effective resolution of critical incidents Police communicators will learn crisis intervention strategies like those used by Crisis Negotiators during a potential high risk incident that may aid in stabilizing the situation. Verbal de-escalation techniques will be studied that may reduce the immediacy of the threat so that more time, options, and resources can be called upon to resolve the situation. Communicators will learn many of the same skills Crisis Negotiators use to de-escalate, build rapport, and move the subject in agitation/crisis towards rational communication that benefits everyone involved. This course will review the concepts and techniques of crisis negotiations and subject assessment, suicide intervention and communicating with subjects suffering from mental illness and in a escalated state. Attendees will learn the difference between tactical and crisis communications and the need to gather and communicate critical information while employing crisis de-escalation techniques.

Police communicators will gain a general understanding of the role and responsibilities of all those involved in the Command Triangle at a Critical Incident, Crisis Negotiators and Tactical teams, supporting the mission statement and enhancing police accountability during critical incidents.

The course instructor is a recently retired Police Inspector, with 31 years' experience and 19 years as a Crisis Negotiator, coordinator and trainer for the Crisis Negotiation Team, as well as a Tactical and Critical Incident Commander. The course instructor has instructed at the Ontario Police College and has crossed trained with USA Department of Homeland Security, Michigan State Police, US Coast Guard and the OPP.