Initiative 940 required law enforcement officers to have de-escalation training. Now in our state Legislature HB 1310 requires that de-escalation really be used. What does that mean?
I didn’t really understand myself. At a meeting a person from our statewide Criminal Justice Training Center explained that de-escalation is buying time, buying space, and taking cover. Slow down your speech, slow down your breathing, back off, take cover, think, talk with other officers, call for backups. These are things officers need to do.
I have since read in “Chokehold” by Paul Butler that all police know to take cover. Yet we still have officer-involved shootings of people who are retreating, running away, or belted in a car. Can’t officers find cover for themselves, slow the process down, and consult one another? This would make police and residents all safer.
Please ask your state senator to vote yes on HB 1310.
