In our opinion: Police training should include de-escalation tactics from Deseret News link below
http://www.deseretnews.com/user/comments/865617716/Police-training-should-include-de-escalation-tactics.htmlMany citizens in the United States are starting to feel a strain between themselves and the police force. The truth is that the police force are citizens as well and this barrier between 'us and them' needs to be knocked down. Learning de-escalation tactics should be required in police training, as well as police being required to wear cameras. These tactics should be used because irritability and aggression can lead to behaviors that seem unstoppable unless you have had training, police feel more accountable when they know they will be viewed by the media, and because citizens shouldn't be brought down by fear or others perceptions.
Learning De-escalation Tactics
Three main factors to consider when confronted with a de-escalation situation
• Self control – being aware of your own responses
• Physical presence – taking a supportive stance
• The de-escalating conversation - the strategies you employ
These three factors would be beneficial to learn because cops employing these into their situations where people are not necessarily dangerous, but tensions are rising because it will help them learn how to employ humility and kindness instead of hostility and dominant force...after all we are all humans. When people are put in authority, that status can get to their head. I think it is important for police to remember that even though they represent the law which should be upheld, they are NOT the law.
Without learning these tactics it can be very hard to emit self control when no one else in the situation is, it is hard to remain in a calm physical stance when you are mad, and speaking to calm the situation can be something especially hard when the natural you is about to explode inside.
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With police having cameras on them not only will they feel more accountable, but citizens will also feel more accountable for their own actions as well to have their actions being recorded. This will help citizens feel safer and it is not a bad thing to do. Many companies have cameras on their employees to make sure they do a good job and this is no different. It should not be a problem unless someone does not want their actions exposed.
Citizens entitled to feel safe
In America we are entitled to feel safe and the police are the ones who are supposed to be protecting us. Many blacks in Ferguson feel fear and judgment from police, even though the area is ethnically dominated by blacks (70%). These people should not have to feel this tension and I think with the knowledge that cops are trained de-escalation tactics and the knowledge that they have cameras watching their moves will help the whole community feel safer.
PLEASE WATCH LINK BELOW
http://youtu.be/iRpELUREwbU
Conclusion
America seems to not be what it used to be in regards to feeling safe. Cops should learn de-escalation techniques so they can feel safer and not at a loss when a high tension, low danger situation arises, they should be watched with cameras to make sure their behavior is appropriate, to know they are accountable, and so citizens feel safer, finally citizens have the right to feel safe by those who are meant to protect them.Reference List
1. Arik Johnson; De-escalation Stratagies for Crisis Situations, http://www.hdsa.org/images/content/1/5/15047.pdf
2. Jerome Skolnick and Candice Mccoy; Police Accountability and the Media, http://www.jstor.org.byui.idm.oclc.org/stable/828317?Search=yes&resultItemClick=true&searchText=camera&searchText=accountability&searchUri=%2Faction%2FdoBasicSearch%3FQuery%3Dcamera%2Baccountability%26amp%3Bprq%3Dwhen%2Bpeople%2Bknow%2Bthey%2Bare%2Bon%2Bcamera%26amp%3Bso%3Drel%26amp%3Bhp%3D25%26amp%3Bwc%3Don%26amp%3Bacc%3Don%26amp%3Bfc%3Doff&seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents
3. NBC, Black Men in Ferguson say Lives Marked by Fear and Perception,http://highered.nbclearn.com.byui.idm.oclc.org/portal/site/HigherEd
4. Deseret News; In our opinion: Police training should include de-escalation tactics, http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865617716/Police-training-should-include-de-escalation-tactics.html
