Contextualizing and defining de-escalation in policing

ABSTRACT

In light of increasing concerns about use of force, one of the most prominent recommendations for improving policing is ‘de-escalation’. However, despite the hype surrounding de-escalation, a clear definition still is lacking. At the same time, debates about de-escalation have not been grounded in, or informed by, police practice. The lack of a solid definition is problematic in practice, as police struggle with potentially conflicting considerations. This study utilizes interviews with use of force experts and a survey of frontline officers to produce a better understanding of de-escalation. The results highlight the importance of nuance in police-public interactions, which are highly variable. In particular, de-escalation cannot be conceptualized as a one-size-fits-all solution capable of solving all elevated police-citizen interactions. A practical definition of de-escalation must also acknowledge that force may sometimes be required. The perspective that use of force is incompatible with de-escalation does not reflect the realities of policing.

KEYWORDS:

• De-escalation
• policing
• crisis
• use of force

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/15614263.2024.2386578

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. All participants had completed BC’s provincially-approved training for use of force instructors, the Standardized Use of Force Instructor Course (SUFIC).

2. One officer opted to be interviewed in person.

3. Rank, gender, and years of service were the only demographic variables included in the survey.

4. The term Crisis Intervention and De-escalation is the vernacular utilized by the government and police agencies in BC. The concept mirrors what is more broadly referred to as ‘de-escalation’ in other areas. To remain consistent with a broader audience, the term ‘de-escalation’ is used in this article.

5. After completing the online survey, one member contacted the principal researcher and voluntarily participated in a follow-up interview that was conducted over the telephone. The interview was loosely structured to allow the respondent to add to areas touched on in the survey and expand on their personal experiences with de-escalation.

6. Because of concerns of privacy, the ranks of the other members who responded to the survey have been masked.

7. Even conservative estimates suggest that less than 2% of police-public encounters involve use of force (Public Safety Canada).

8. Quotations in this section represent responses to open-ended questions on the Member Survey.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Garth Davies

Garth Davies is an Associate Professor, and Director of Graduate Studies in the School of Criminology at Simon Fraser University (SFU). Dr. Davies also a member of several committees dedicated to public safety: Dr. Davies is a member of the executive committee for the Canadian Network for Research on Terrorism, and is the Associate Director of the Institute of Violence, Terrorism, and Security at SFU. Dr. Davies has published over 55 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. Some of this work has been featured in prominent policing journals, including Policing and Society: An International Journal of Research and Policy, and Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management. Dr. Davies has been the principal or key investigator on numerous research projects and has contributed to over 20 research reports and working papers. Dr. Davies has also presented at dozens of national and international conferences, including the Western Society of Criminology, the American Society of Criminology.

Stephanie E. Dawson

Stephanie E. Dawson is an independent research consultant, and the Vice President of Dawson Analytics Inc. Dr. Dawson earned her Ph.D. from the School of Criminology at Simon Fraser University. Her research interests include policing, research methodology, and mental health. Dr. Dawson has been a co-investigator on police and public safety-related research projects and contributed to research reports and working papers. She has presented her work at several conferences, including the American Society of Criminology, and her work has also been published in various policing journals, including Policing: An International Journal of Police Strategies & Management, Policing and Society: An International Journal of Research and Policy, and Policing: A Journal of Policy and Practice.