In 2014, the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing was established by an Executive Order signed by President Barack Obama.
President’s Task Force
Conflict management is inherent in preserving peace in society. Sometimes, the best way to keep the peace is to jump into the discord and assert authority over a situation that has developed into chaos.
Effective Communication
The people whom law enforcement generally encounters during verbal conflict can be categorized broadly.
Agreeable, Challenging, or Manipulative
Authority, policies, and decision-making are believed to be unbiased and morally justified.
Police Legitimacy
Hypervigilance is an elevated level of alertness/perpetual preparedness; every event is viewed as a potential hazard.
Hypervigilance: Positive Effects
Hypervigilance has a downside. Per Newton’s 3rd Law: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Hypervigilance: Negative Effects
Indignity, Fear, Stress, Vulnerability (lower-class status, disability, generally vulnerable people)
Hot Buttons: Universal Triggers
Name-calling, Derogatory Remarks, Sarcastic Tone, Dismissive Behavior, Eye-rolling, Inappropriateness.
Hot Buttons: Personal Triggers
- Take a deep, calming breath.
- Adopt a confident demeanor.
- Appropriate facial expression.
- Use positive self-talk.
- Step on stage (with all the media platforms).
Prepare for Encounter
Block and Deflect
1. Acknowledge what was said and move things back to the relevant issue.
2. Divert attention from the trigger and back to the facts with a helpful deflection phrase.
Handling Verbal Conflict
Situations involving juveniles, emotionally disturbed persons (EDP), and people in crisis.
Special Circumstances
- Do not judge what makes them feel loved.
- Empower the juvenile to make better choices and avoid undermining them in front of a group.
- Remember that others might not be used to rules and limits being consistently enforced.
- Juveniles do not always understand the concept that a rule might be temporary.
- Adults (typically) have more control over their aggression.
- Adults tend to exhibit deliberate acts of aggression.
- Adult tactics can sometimes escalate juvenile encounters.
- When given commands, a juvenile will often question, challenge, and confront the authority figure.
- Juveniles experience an adrenaline dump from pain that can result in greater resistance instead of compliance.
Special Circumstances: Advanced Techniques
