De-Escalation: Principals and Practi ce
De-Escalation Principles and Practice Training
The Police Officer Standards and Training Council's Field Services Training Division, in partnership with the Center for Advanced Policing at the University of New Haven, is presenting a comprehensive two-day training program on de-escalation techniques. The course runs from Thursday, December 10, 2026, through Friday, December 11, 2026, from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. at the Connecticut Police Academy, 285 Preston Avenue, Meriden, CT 06450. This training is offered at no cost to attendees.
De-escalation has become critical in modern policing as departments work to minimize unnecessary or avoidable force. When communities lose confidence in law enforcement, their willingness to cooperate with police, follow lawful directives, and respect authority diminishes significantly. This program addresses that challenge by providing officers with practical, field-applicable de-escalation skills.
Instructors from the Center for Advanced Policing will deliver a proprietary de-escalation curriculum available in two formats: direct instruction for officers and train-the-trainer sessions. The program integrates DISC Esoterica® methodology and emphasizes situational awareness, body language interpretation, and tactical positioning based on threat assessment. Participants will learn verbal judo and procedural justice-based techniques for de-escalating situations and intervening in crisis scenarios. The National De-escalation Training Center and its regional affiliates are the only providers in the nation authorized to deliver IADLEST certified level three de-escalation training, which carries Department of Justice approval. Realistic scenario-based exercises are integrated throughout the two days to prepare officers for actual field application.
Over the course of two days, the training covers the subject and threat environment, de-escalation fundamentals grounded in procedural justice, trauma-informed policing and crisis intervention methods, personality assessment integration with de-escalation techniques, body language analysis and rapid personality identification, and active and passive threat recognition with appropriate safe distancing practices.
Enrollment is capped at twenty participants. Registration must be completed through the Acadis portal by Thursday, November 19, 2026. For questions, contact the Field Services Training Division at 203-427-2625. Lunch arrangements are the responsibility of attendees at nearby restaurants. The uniform dress code specified in POST General Notice 23-02 applies to all participants.