Gentle Response De-escalation Training

3 important points to reduce stress in your life, especially during this election season! 1) Be Nice 2) Agree To Disagree 3) Walk Away

For several years now people have been jumping up and down while ranting and raving about defunding the police and sending social workers to "non-emergency" calls. They actually believe deeply that this is THE solution to reduce and even eliminate violence. I even saw a social worker post a comment after a police officer who shot a teenager who was in the act of stabbing another teen that she could have stopped the assault by blowing a whistle. Clearly her experience is from duty in a residential home where the residents are conditioned to respond to bells and whistles. I just shook my head because I have actual experience in the real world and life is not a game where you can blow a whistle and everything and everyone will simply "stop". Sure, there were many times when I responded to calls where clearly a social worker would have been more beneficial and done more good, and I know I am not alone is saying that as a cop I would have very happily handed the call off to someone else more appropriate to handle the call. If nothing else, it was certainly less paperwork for me! But I know that violence can occur in a blink of an eye from people and situations you least expect, and I also know from experience that there will be times when nothing you say or do will successfully and effectively de-escalate a person or situation. A few days ago on October 25, 2025, social workers made a house call to do a welfare check in Lynchburg, VA. While in the house, a man came out of the back and became very loud, confrontational, and aggressive toward the social workers, threatening to shoot them. What they did next is exactly what I teach in my seminars: Have situational awareness to recognize when it's time to disengage, break contact, and leave the area! As the social workers began to leave the house, the man pulled out a weapon and took a shot at the social workers. Thankfully he missed, they got out safe, and after barricading himself for several hours the man was finally taken into custody. As far as I know, the social workers did nothing wrong. They went as a 2-person team to the house, maybe because they were aware of potential issues with a family member in the house. I'm sure that they tried to de-escalate the situation when the man first appeared but fortunately, they recognized when it was time to go! Unfortunately, the man still wasn't happy and took a shot, but fortunately, none of the social workers were hit. No matter who is sent in instead of the police, there will be times when nothing you say or do will effectively and successfully de-escalate a situation, and violence can erupt in the blink of an eye. I am thankful that these social workers went home safely! #deescalation #training #personalsafety #professionaldevelopment #socialworker https://lnkd.in/eMH3ZWCG

"As a retired police Sergeant, hostage negotiator, and instructor of de-escalation, interpersonal skills and active shooter response and prevention, John really nails home some very important topics in this book. I enjoyed his stories of where de-escalation worked and, in some cases, should have been applied and wasn't. I would think this would be a must read for police officers that want to "keep the peace" and also reduce criminal and civil liability. A book like this has the potential to keep LE agencies out of a lot of hot water. I started the book with the goal of just reading a few chapters a day. Ended up starting and finishing it in just a few hours. East read, valuable information, and LE relatable. (A great read for civilians as well)" - Marko Galbreath https://lnkd.in/eWxryQu5

I thoroughly enjoyed my chat with Joe O’Connor for his Veterans To Success podcast and I'm happy to share it with you! I spoke of service to country and community, of my time in the Army and my small part with the 24th Infantry Division drive through the desert during Operation Desert Storm, and I spoke of my career as a police officer and what I'm doing now. Apple podcast : https://lnkd.in/e-XBg-TQ Spotify: https://lnkd.in/en3YanqG Let me know what you think!

"First, I'm going to twist your little head off your shoulders, then I'm going to poop down your neck!" A tense moment during dynamic De-escalation training! The vast majority of all the tough, threatening talk is just that, "all talk", just posturing and bristling ! The challenge is not say or do something that works escalate the situation!

Encountering a car in the church parking with unknown occupants, and how to handle it with a ministry mindset! https://lnkd.in/eTikrzkR

Some photos from today's dynamic conflict de-escalation training with staff and volunteers at Harbor Light Community Chapel in Harbor Springs, MI What an awesome bunch, we had a great time! #DeEscalationTraining #Churchsafety #CHURCHSECURITY #personalsafety #deescalation #deescalate

Retired Army Colonel Steve Bucci is very happy with how training went today, and if the Colonel is happy, everybody is happy 😆

A church safety security volunteer felt that 4 people wiping down the windows of their car was enough of a potential threat that he approached them and kicked them off the property. When they got upset about it, he told them that "No one knew who would attack the day so many were killed". His approach and attitude were creating a situation and escalating it, fortunately they moved off the property. Folks, slow down, take a breath, assess the situation, and do NOT live in fear!! I have been in this exact situation over the years at my church with a vehicle on the property that catches my attention. Take a moment to observe the vehicle and ask- 1) Is there an imminent danger of great bodily harm or death from that vehicle or the occupant or occupants? 2) Do you HAVE to make contact? If you do decide to make contact, consider a ministry mindset as you greet them with a smile and chat a bit, then invite them to church or offer to bring them bottled water. 3) If you decide to make contact, are you considering cover and concealment? Consider making contact from 20 feet away and not from 12 feet or closer. 4) As you consider making contact, how many people are at the vehicle, would you be outnumbered? 5) If you decide to go make contact, notify your colleagues and make sure you have a partner with you or nearby to keep an eye on you. Considering how people are so easily offended and violent these days I am glad the situation ended safely and everyone went home safe, but I think this was a ministry opportunity that was thrown away and mishandled by fear. Folks, if you are part of your church staff or are a volunteer in any ministry, developing a ministry mindset does not mean you do not train or are not prepared. It means making a bit more effort to recognize and remember that you are supposed to be an ambassador for Christ, even in potentially confrontational situations.