There is a lack of research on the effectiveness of de-escalation training in policing. Though widely used in law enforcement, there is little knowledge in terms of the benefit of these training courses on use of force outcomes and citizen satisfaction, as well as the skills they have given officers in terms of resolving potentially-violent encounters in the field.

In partnership with Dr. Mike White and his team from ASU’s Center for Violence Prevention and Community Safety, Tempe PD completed a 3-year, multi-stage project to design, deliver and evaluate a customized de-escalation training course.  

The De-Escalation Project

Infographic information begins. De-Escalation Training Study with ASU. Outcomes: 1. Trained officers report more frequent use of 10 de-escalation tactics: patience, communication, listening, compromise, staying calm, empathy, knowing when to request back-up, knowing when to walk away, using appropriate wording and language, and speaking in a calm manner. 2. Trained officers reported greater use of: compromise, maintaining officer safety, and knowing when to walk away. End of infographic information. Timeline: June/July 2019 - pre-training survey, Feb/March 2020 - Training Delivered, June/July 2020 - Post-Training Survey. Tempe PD Officer Seal and ASU Center for Violence Prevention and Community Safety. Infographic information ends.