Law enforcement use of force has long been a topic of national and local discussion, especially when a high-profile case heightens community awareness. The concept of de-escalation has been a part of law enforcement use of force discussions for decades. De-escalation refers to the range of verbal and nonverbal skills used to slow down the sequence of events, enhance situational awareness, conduct proper threat assessments, and allow for better decision-making to reduce the likelihood that a situation will escalate into a physical confrontation or injury and to ensure the safest possible outcomes.

De-escalation should be viewed holistically by law enforcement agencies. De-escalation includes aspects of communication and physical tactics, but it is also important to recognize the role that community engagement and procedural justice play in ensuring police-community encounters that are safe for everyone. The COPS Office also encourages an agency-wide comprehensive approach to de-escalation that includes individual-level de-escalation, implicit bias, and duty to intervene techniques training. In addition to training, agencies should consider other organizational supports such as data analysis, after-action reviews of use of force incidents, and other efforts to build agency knowledge and implement best practices in de-escalation.

The FY23 CPD De-Escalation Training program had two open solicitations:

• FY23 Continuation and Expansion of Regional De-Escalation Training Centers
• FY23 Law Enforcement Agency De-Escalation Grants - Community Policing Development Solicitation