LSU NCBRT/ACE Launches New Course on De-Escalation Techniques and Professional Policing

November 30, 2023

LSU NCBRT/ACE has recently launched a new course, PER-405: De-Escalation Strategies and Professional Policing, that provides officers with the best strategies to safely avoid escalating encounters between police and the public.

“Our goal with this course is to promote techniques that law enforcement can use to keep themselves and their communities safe,” said LSU NCBRT/ACE Director Jeff Mayne. “We are providing vital information that officers need to effectively, securely, and thoughtfully mitigate potential harm to themselves and to civilians.”

LSU NCBRT/ACE continues to work towards optimizing policing techniques focusing on officer and public safety, Successful officer/civilian interaction is paramount to successful policing and community trust.

The course uses scenarios frontline officers may face daily to test participants’ ability to recognize situations where de-escalation is possible. Participants gain insight into how emotions can affect decision making, learn about de-escalating situations with people in a behavioral health crisis and develop skills for active listening and other communication tools that can assist in avoiding escalating a potentially dangerous situation.

 “I really appreciated the discussion around areas where there hasn’t been great policing in the past,” said one participant after a recent class in California. “It demonstrated the need for putting a mirror in front of ourselves, even when it is a difficult admittance.”

Law enforcement can use the lessons in this course in their own communities and relationships in addition to their field work.

“The scenarios are very helpful, as well as the feedback from the instructors after we completed each one,” said another participant. “Also, the personal stories from instructors and peers helped us understand why we need this class.”

The topics covered in PER-405 are also discussed in the three latest episodes of the LSU NCBRT Preparedness Podcast, which features guests and subject matter experts Terry Nicholls and Courtney Tassin. Listen to the podcast here or wherever you find podcasts.

All DHS certified classes offered by LSU NCBRT/ACE are DHS/FEMA are available at no cost to participants or host agencies. More information on the De-Escalation Techniques and Professional Policing course, as well as all other courses, can be found here.

About LSU NCBRT/ACE:

LSU NCBRT/ACE is a nationally recognized center for emergency preparedness and response training located at Louisiana State University’s flagship campus in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. We provide mobile training to both the national and international emergency response community. LSU NCBRT/ACE has expertise in research, development and delivery of training in the areas of specialized law enforcement operations; biological incident response; food and agriculture safety and security; school safety; and instructional design and technique. For more information on LSU NCBRT/ACE’s courses and resources, please visit ncbrt.lsu.edu.