Purpose

The evidence on de-escalation training is limited and has focused almost exclusively on use of force as the primary outcome. We evaluate a de-escalation training program in Tempe, Arizona, delivered via a squad-based randomized controlled trial, using methods that tap into alternative outcomes in encounters that did not involve use of force.

Methods

We conducted phone surveys with 282 randomly selected Tempe community members who had a recent encounter with Treatment and Control officers post-training. We also examined body-worn camera footage of 476 randomly selected encounters that occurred pre- (n = 230) and post-training (n = 246) with Treatment and Control officers.

Results

Community members reported that trained officers were significantly more likely to use procedural justice and de-escalation; and were more likely to leave them satisfied with their treatment and how their encounter was resolved. Results from BWC footage were less persuasive, though trained officers were more likely to use some de-escalation tactics.

Conclusions

Use of force as a singular metric of a training effect is too narrow. A comprehensive assessment of de-escalation training should consider multiple outcomes, including the potential effects in non-force encounters. Random review of BWC footage and community member surveys are two viable methods for achieving this objective.

中文翻译：

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除了武力和伤害：检查警察降级培训的替代（且重要）结果

目的

关于降级训练的证据有限，并且几乎完全集中于使用武力作为主要结果。我们评估了亚利桑那州坦佩的降级训练计划，该计划通过基于小队的随机对照试验进行，使用的方法在不涉及使用武力的遭遇中挖掘替代结果。

方法

我们对 282 名随机选择的坦佩社区成员进行了电话调查，他们最近在培训后与治疗和控制官员有过接触。我们还检查了 476 次随机选择的在训练前 ( n  = 230) 和训练后 ( n  = 246) 与治疗和控制官员的遭遇的随身摄像机镜头。

结果

社区成员报告说，经过培训的官员更有可能使用程序正义和降级；并且更有可能让他们对自己的待遇以及遭遇的解决方式感到满意。尽管受过训练的军官更有可能使用一些降级策略，但《生物武器公约》镜头的结果缺乏说服力。

结论

使用力量作为训练效果的单一指标过于狭隘。对降级训练的全面评估应考虑多种结果，包括非武力遭遇中的潜在影响。对《生物武器公约》录像的随机审查和社区成员调查是实现这一目标的两种可行方法。