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Testing the Impact of De-escalation Training: The Tempe (AZ) SPI Project Michael D. White, Ph.D. International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Chicago, October 28, 2019
Testing the Impact of De-escalation Training: The Tempe (AZ) SPI Project
Michael D. White, Ph.D.
International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)Chicago, October 28, 2019
The Tempe SPI Project
DESIGN
DELIVER
EVALUATE
DESIGN: Identify Principles of De-escalation
1. Send Officers to De-escalation Trainings
2. Peer Nomination of Top De-escalatorsHarness local expertise
3. Officer Survey
4. Review Prior Research
1. Send Officers to De-escalation Trainings
Total number of trainings attended: 22 Online: 5
Local: 4
National: 13 Includes visits to other agencies
2. The Tempe Top De-escalators
Identify Top De-escalators
We would like to identify a group of Tempe police officers who are especially skilled at de-escalation, and who have consistently demonstrated an ability to defuse potentially violent encounters. Please write the first and last names of three of your colleagues who you consider the most highly skilled at de-escalating difficult, potentially violent citizen encounters.
136 officers nominated at least once (1-26)
2nd level vetting (20+ sergeants) – identified 14 officers
The Tempe Top De-escalators
ASU and the 14 Top De-escalators
44 ride-alongs
166 interactions observed 107 variables recorded per citizen interaction
One-on-one interviews
Focus groups
3. Officer Survey
Fall 2018 (n=96)
Patrol Briefings Perceptions of de-escalation training
What tactics do you use?
How often do you use them?
Selected Findings: Tactics (Frequency)
Listening (3.99)
Communication (3.97)
Staying Calm (3.94)
Knowing when to walk away (2.90)
Compromise (2.86)
Mu
ltip
le T
ime
s p
er
Sh
ift (4
)
No
t at A
ll (0)
Selected Findings: The “Don’t Zone”
What type of
behaviors should
an officer avoid
using in citizen
encounters?
Tacti
cs
Ph
ysic
al
Dem
ean
or
Em
oti
on
alC
om
mu
nic
ati
on
Condescending, belittling or demeaning
Vulgar language/poor word choices
Non-purposeful swearing
Shouting when not needed
Talking over the citizen
Not allowing subject to give their side
Aggressive/Combative/
Confrontational/Accusatory
Anger or Hostility/Threatening
Rudeness or a Bad Attitude
Not paying attention to cultural differences
Listening to respond, not listening to understand
Rigid body language
Lack of confidence
Offensive gestures
Unapproachable
Wearing sunglasses
Placing hand on gun when not needed
Excessive force
Running towards the citizen if not needed
Lack of situational awareness
Poor officer safety tactics
Entering the situation escalated
Too relaxed
Indecisiveness
Acting without explaining
Not remaining calm or controlled
Not being aware of what upsets you
Emotional investment/ taking things personally
Lack of empathy/not being human
Bias that the citizen’s concern is not valid
Ego
Impulsivity
4. Review the Available Research
Engel et al. (2019) ZERO evaluations of de-escalation in
policing (1970-2016)
64 evaluations identified nursing; psychiatry
DESIGN- Almost Done
DELIVER- RCT
Squad-based randomization (n=26) Stratified by geography and shift
Test run in 2 weeks
Training – November 2019 thru January 2020
EVALUATEOfficer perceptions
Citizen phone interviews
Admin data – force, complaints, injuries
Hundreds of hours of body-worn camera footage Pre-post training Weekly random selection- officers and videos
