Have you ever seen crime shows where someone talks a person off of a ledge or talks down someone holding others at gunpoint? The tactics that this person used are called de-escalation techniques. De-escalation techniques are a crucial behavioral psychology tactic that can help eliminate violent or dangerous situations from ever occurring – and it simply involves listening to what’s going on. Let’s take a look at the components of good de-escalation techniques.
5 De-Escalation Techniques Security Guards Use
1. Critical Listening and Committing to Memory
The first key to de-escalation techniques is to listen to what’s going on. It’s incredibly important that security guards understand the situation fully so that they can try to take the issue from a violent level to a non-violent one. This necessitates an understanding of what is going on, especially what the offender is thinking or might be going through.
Additionally, security guards are often witnesses that will need to report to law enforcement; every detail during an incident might be important later on, so security guards both listen and remember everything that happens.
2. Acknowledging the Perpetrator
Even if you don’t agree with someone’s actions, you can still identify with them and their emotions or inner turmoil. Security guards don’t have to become part of the incident to connect with the individual and help them calm down enough to talk rather than commit violent acts. Feeling alone and misunderstood can drive people to be more violent than they would have if someone had tried to talk to them first.
3. Acknowledge Consequences
Some perpetrators will rush into situations blinded by emotion without thinking about (or pushing away the thought of) consequences. By reminding someone in this position about the potential consequences of their violent actions, these dangerous situations can sometimes be avoided.
4. Communicate Alternatives During De-Escalation Techniques
Perpetrators often feel like they “had no choice” or that someone “had to pay.” Reminding these individuals that there are proper, legal courses of action and that they can get help can help snap them out of a violent state of mind. Bringing these people back to reason, combined with a realization of facing the negative consequences of their actions, will often resolve dangerous situations completely.
5. Maintaining Professionalism During De-Escalation Techniques
This might go without saying, but maintaining professionalism during de-escalation techniques is of paramount importance. If weakness is detected or the security guards seem unsure in any way, the rhetoric falls apart and all progress could be lost. Security guards, especially those trained in de-escalation techniques, will know that they need to maintain a brave, professional air about them until the incident has been resolved completely and the perpetrator is in custody.
Hire Atlanta Security Guards Trained in De-Escalation Tactics for Your Business
Do you think your Atlanta business would benefit from security guards who are trained in de-escalation tactics? Reach out to our team of security experts today to discuss hiring security guards for your Atlanta business today!
