De-Escalation Conversations

Welcome to the DEC podcast. I want to warn you that the subject matter in this podcast is for Mature Audiences and there may be some parts that are disturbing and Viewer Discretion is advised.

I’m going to be sharing a story with you today that is incredibly compelling. It’s about a 17-year-old girl and an Oxnard Police Officer – and I’m blessed to know both of them. In this episode, you’re going to have the privilege of listening to the conversation I had while speaking with one of them.

On May 3rd, 2019, while in a dirt field behind a business in an commercial district, Oxnard CA Police Officer Timothy Roberts shot a 17-year-old girl three times. He did that because, even though he was attempting De-Escalation, she had her mind made up that she wanted to die. Not long after he arrived on scene, she charged at him with a knife forcing him to use deadly force.

Roberts, then a 4-year veteran of the Oxnard Police Department, was the first officer on scene and found the teen standing in the parking lot. After the girl brandished a six-inch kitchen knife, Roberts commanded her to drop it while he backed away.

A second officer arrived and was in the process of retrieving a less-lethal "beanbag" shotgun from his vehicle when the teen charged at Roberts. Officer Roberts fired three rounds, striking the girl all 3 times. The girl fell to the ground and the two officers immediately began providing first aid until paramedics arrived.

The incident was captured in full by Officer Roberts' body-worn camera. In the body-camera footage, the teen can be heard apologizing after she was shot, a guilt that would continue to grow during her stay at the hospital.

Doctors initially weren't sure she would survive due to bleeding in her liver. They later warned she would not be able to walk again from a second bullet wound in her leg.

The teen recalled the guilt that haunted her in the hospital, even affecting her dreams. She decided to make amends when she was discharged in June that year.

The teen and the officer met in person for the first time on Jan. 23, 2020, and have remained in contact ever since.

This young lady said she wants to share the lessons she learned to promote mental health awareness. She said, "In many of these situations, the person in my situation does not live. I feel like it's my duty, as someone who lived, to promote mental health awareness."

She went on to say, "Always be willing to reach out to someone who might be struggling. Sure, you may be frustrated with them for feeling that way, but if you give them even the least bit of understanding and support, it's a gamechanger."

If you're feeling despondent, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, for both English and Spanish speakers, can be reached at 988 or suicide prevention lifeline.org

Keep listening, there’s a lot to unpack in today’s show!

IDEA - the International De-Escalation Association, is dedicated to Saving Lives, Reputations, & Relationships through Conflict De-Escalation & Communication Training for Teachers, Parents, and Public Safety Providers.
Find more about
How to Calm an Angry Person in 90 Seconds or Less
Come visit us at the IDEA website (International De-Escalation Association):
https://TheIdea.World
Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter to stay up to date on the latest news and blogs about Schools, Police, Fire, Medical Services and Flight Attendants.
Do you or your organization need Communication Skills and De-Escalation Training? You can reach us directly at: [email protected] or by filling out a contact form at https://www.TheIdea.World/contact

On this episode of De-Escalation Conversations podcast, host Kerry Mensior speaks with guest Adam Kinakin about the importance of De-Escalation tactics in Law Enforcement.
We discuss the connection between appearance and success in personal and professional development, and the totality of circumstances involved in using force. Adam shares a personal experience and emphasizes the need for better education and communication with the public about the challenges of Law Enforcement.
Additionally, we discuss the importance of training and planning for success in high-pressure situations. Later in the episode, they shift focus to the value of collaboration, partnerships, and shared mission and values in achieving social impact. Tune in for insight on De-Escalation tactics and creating meaningful partnerships.
[00:01:34] De-Escalation is misunderstood. Communication is crucial, but De-Escalation involves minimizing harm, and phrasing it as a catch-all term causes confusion.

[00:07:38] Discussion on using scientific data to understand human behavior, including De-Escalation and verbal judo techniques. Emphasis on individual variance and need to educate the public on realistic outcomes in Law Enforcement. Importance of Officer appearance and behavior in leaving positive impressions on civilians.

[00:12:46] Appearance and presentation play a vital role in situations such as De-Escalation scenarios, and officers need to consider every aspect of the circumstance for success.

[00:20:12] Fluid decision-making in training scenarios, with instructors allowing leeway, improves outcomes. Scenarios should not be pass/fail as the world is more complex. Every human being is different, and instructors should let officers make decisions within their understanding.

[00:26:36] Jim was a new Sergeant in a situation with a suspect barricaded in a bathroom with knives; he De-Escalated the situation and got the suspect to surrender peacefully.

[00:30:06] Pre-planning and training greatly increase chances of success in dangerous situations, such as combat patrols or law enforcement. Practice and rehearsals are necessary to achieve desired responses. The lesson applies to all situations, including the behavior of new officers.

[00:36:52] Police training budgets are often the first to be cut, leading to outdated restrictions on training hours. Training silos are also a problem, but interleaving techniques can help.

[00:42:10] Trust, values, mission, feasible goals, and ethics are the driving factors of choosing who to work with. Profit is a byproduct of doing the right thing. ILET has a culture of dedicated members with the goal of making the world a better place.

IDEA - the International De-Escalation Association, is dedicated to Saving Lives, Reputations, & Relationships through Conflict De-Escalation & Communication Training for Teachers, Parents, and Public Safety Providers.
Find more about
How to Calm an Angry Person in 90 Seconds or Less
Come visit us at the IDEA website (International De-Escalation Association):
https://TheIdea.World
Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter to stay up to date on the latest news and blogs about Schools, Police, Fire, Medical Services and Flight Attendants.
Do you or your organization need Communication Skills and De-Escalation Training? You can reach us directly at: [email protected] or by filling out a contact form at https://www.TheIdea.World/contact

IDEA - the International De-Escalation Association, is dedicated to Saving Lives, Reputations, & Relationships through Conflict De-Escalation & Communication Training for Teachers, Parents, and Public Safety Providers.
Find more about
How to Calm an Angry Person in 90 Seconds or Less
Come visit us at the IDEA website (International De-Escalation Association):
https://TheIdea.World
Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter to stay up to date on the latest news and blogs about Schools, Police, Fire, Medical Services and Flight Attendants.
Do you or your organization need Communication Skills and De-Escalation Training? You can reach us directly at: [email protected] or by filling out a contact form at https://www.TheIdea.World/contact

On this episode of De-Escalation Conversations, Kerry Mensior and Jason Der discuss the importance of evidence-based teaching and continuous feedback.
Jason shares his experience as Law Enforcement Officer and Instructor, and emphasizes the benefits of incorporating techniques such as peer learning and the concept of interleaving, which involves mixing up different skills to improve overall performance in the long run.
The episode highlights the importance of setting expectations and having a flexible lesson plan when using this method, as well as providing ongoing feedback to track progress and make necessary changes to teaching methods.
Key takeaways include the significance of continuous feedback, incorporating important skills, and why cramming for exams may limit retention and recall of information.

IDEA - the International De-Escalation Association, is dedicated to Saving Lives, Reputations, & Relationships through Conflict De-Escalation & Communication Training for Teachers, Parents, and Public Safety Providers.
Find more about
How to Calm an Angry Person in 90 Seconds or Less
Come visit us at the IDEA website (International De-Escalation Association):
https://TheIdea.World
Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter to stay up to date on the latest news and blogs about Schools, Police, Fire, Medical Services and Flight Attendants.
Do you or your organization need Communication Skills and De-Escalation Training? You can reach us directly at: [email protected] or by filling out a contact form at https://www.TheIdea.World/contact

Senior Editor Wayne Parham describes the many resources that Police Magazine has for Law Enforcement Officers and why you should take a look at their online content.

IDEA - the International De-Escalation Association, is dedicated to Saving Lives, Reputations, & Relationships through Conflict De-Escalation & Communication Training for Teachers, Parents, and Public Safety Providers.
Find more about
How to Calm an Angry Person in 90 Seconds or Less
Come visit us at the IDEA website (International De-Escalation Association):
https://TheIdea.World
Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter to stay up to date on the latest news and blogs about Schools, Police, Fire, Medical Services and Flight Attendants.
Do you or your organization need Communication Skills and De-Escalation Training? You can reach us directly at: [email protected] or by filling out a contact form at https://www.TheIdea.World/contact