The Importance of Context when Defining De-Escalation in Policing

De-escalation remains loosely defined in policing, with no agreement on the specific tactics officers should use. This lack of clarity makes it challenging to develop standardized evidencebased training and policies. Police officers who were interviewed and surveyed emphasized that de-escalation is not a one-size-fits-all approach. De-escalation is context-dependent, and it must be adapted to each situation. Further, de-escalation may not always work. The authors of the source article recommend a definition of de-escalation and suggest that agencies refine training and policies to better integrate de-escalation principles into police practice.