Use of force and lethal encounters receive the highest level of public and departmental scrutiny. Over the last decade, emphasis has been placed on procedural justice, police legitimacy, and alternative approaches to law enforcement interactions with individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis. The training program aligns with national best practices and supports modern policing goals. It includes an overview of defining crisis events, behavioral health crisis indicators, suicidal ideation, procedural justice and community perceptions, introduction of intervention models, the role de-escalation plays in law enforcement, deadly force encounters and suicide-by-cop, law, policy and training related to de-escalation and use of force encounters. An overview of strategic approaches, methodologies, and best practices are provided to assist with assessment and interdiction. De-escalation and crisis mitigation tactics are not intended to replace the application of reasonable, necessary, and proportional force. The techniques discussed are intended to be implemented only when safe and feasible. This course is designed for sworn law enforcement of all ranks and tenure.
