How an officer’s words can escalate a volatile situation

  You are the training officer in your department. Your agency has been receiving an unusually high number of Bivens Actions (lawsuits and complaints) from citizens stating that officers have been using excessive force to make arrests. The Chief has tasked you with developing a training program that will teach officers about verbal judo and de-escalation techniques. Research using the Internet, your textbook, the AIU library, and other resources to support your discussion on the following: Provide an example of how an officer can use verbal judo to de-escalate a volatile situation. Provide an example of how an officer’s words can escalate a volatile situation, thus making it worse. Remember, mere words are powerful in volatile situations.