Implementing Meaningful De-Escalation Training in Your Security Program

"For modern security programs, the traditional "tough on crime" approach is being increasingly replaced with a strategy that encompasses the use of empathy and verbal de-escalation. We live in an era of viral video's that only show part of the story, of "influencers" with no accountability but lots of followers, and of tired people with short fuses. Interactions with these types or people generally don't result in positive reviews on your company's website."

"In this era a security guard's most powerful tool on their proverbial tool belt is not their baton or handcuffs - it's their ability to effectively recognize and professionally manage human emotion in stressful situations. Implementing effective de-escalation training can no longer be a luxury offered only to personnel in high-risk roles; it is a critical risk-mitigation strategy that protects the employer, the employee and the client in all aspects of our industry."

"A study published in the journal Frontier in Psychiatry in 2022 investigated and reported significantly lower rates of aggressive and violent events between psychiatric patients and personnel. The study measured the rates of such events during a five-month period prior to personnel receiving de-escalation training and directly compared their data to that of the same five-month period the following year, after de-escalation training was provided to personnel."

Modern security programs increasingly favor empathy and verbal de-escalation over traditional 'tough on crime' approaches. Viral videos, unaccountable influencers, and stressed individuals increase the risk of volatile interactions and negative public reactions. A security professional's most powerful tool is the ability to recognize and professionally manage human emotion in stressful situations. Effective de-escalation training should be standard across roles as a critical risk-mitigation measure protecting employers, employees, and clients. Evidence supports de-escalation effectiveness: a 2022 study in Frontier in Psychiatry reported significantly lower rates of aggressive and violent events after personnel received de-escalation training, comparing identical five-month periods before and after training.

Read at Securitymagazine