Police debate: more attention for de-escalation during training

The number of incidents involving people with mental health needs has been increasing for years, and with it, the frequency of situations that are difficult to predict. Are officers too quick in using a baton or a taser? Or is it sometimes simply impossible to de-escalate? Should an officer on the beat be able to read behaviour within seconds? And is it possible to learn how to de-escalate during the relatively short police training period? These questions took centre stage yesterday during a debate organized by the Netherlands Police Academy.

Bauke Koekoek, lecturer on Behaviour resulting from mental health needs, safety, and society, explained who should be considered people with mental health needs. He also talked about the importance of officers being able to de-escalate a situation involving a person with mental health needs by means of communication. 

Is de-escalation always possible in the case of persons with mental health needs?

The debate was joined by Jaïr Schalkwijk (Control-Alt-Delete), researcher Bas Mali, and Rotterdam police officer Joyce Schenk. How does de-escalation work in practice and can it always be used in threatening situations involving persons with mental health needs? A choice may, for instance, have to be made between using a taser or talking to the person in question.

Jaïr Schalkwijk was critical about use of the taser on people with mental health needs, and questioned the legal framework. Mali feels the taser is a useful alternative for the service gun or the baton. Schalkwijk: “this is not what the taser is meant for. While I understand that doing nothing is not an option, there are situations where the taser is used that could also be solved by the police backing off a little.”

Joyce Schenk gave examples of everyday practice where officers had two seconds to make a choice between using force or de-escalation. She emphasized that it was vital to learn de-escalation skills. “We are willing to learn, as we are often dealing with misunderstood behaviour. We actually receive our training on the job. At first, I tended to respond harshly. Now, due to the training, I would consider backing off a bit first.”

Is de-escalation something you can learn?

Negotiator and lecturer Aad Egberts, expert by experience Jeroen Zwaal, and Integrated Professional Skills (IBT) trainer Peter Walterbos spoke about the question of whether you can learn to de-escalate.

Jeroen Zwaal shared from experience how he perceives reality during a psychotic episode, including his contact with the police in such a situation. “I can explain that during a psychosis, I have to deal with an extra reality. All my senses are turned on and it is possible to communicate properly with me. A police officer who knows this would approach me in a different way.” Zwaal, as an expert by experience, is involved in the de-escalation communication training. 

The question is whether we provide sufficient training and education, and dedicate enough time to doing this. And would it, for instance, be possible to incorporate this training in everyday practice? Police officers are positive about the de-escalation communication training course. But this training is only open to a limited number of people per year. IBT trainer Peter Walterbos talked about the effort it takes to incorporate de-escalation. A refresher course of 24 hours is available to operational officers. The call for time and training capacity in this field was widely supported.

De-escalation in the DNA of the Netherlands Police

Police chief Martin Sitalsing stated in his closing words that de-escalation is in the DNA of the Netherlands Police, more than in that of other countries’ police forces. Learning and developing de-escalation should not be considered as merely part of formal training, but also of everyday practice, in the form of reflection and feedback. This type of learning would allow the police to make more use of expertise-by-experience.

He also felt that it should be an important indicator of the basic attitude required of police officers. This basic attitude or character should be an important aspect of the selection criteria for police personnel that will allow them to contribute to this part of the identity of the Netherlands Police.