Author(s):
Bernd Körber & Clemens Lorei

Institution:
Polizeiakademie Niedersachsen und Hessische Hochschule für öffentliches Management und Sicherheit

Title:
De-escalating interaction with persons with mental disorders – Specific application of the KODIAK de-escalation model in police operations with mentally affected citizens

Abstract:
Situations involving mentally ill or mentally conspicuous persons are often the cause of police action. Interaction with these people regularly poses particular challenges for the police. This is particularly the case because general communication routines sometimes do not lead to the objective of the operation or the situation even escalates to such an extent that the police have to use firearms. This article shows ways of making such interactions more targeted, safer and de-escalating. Based on a step-by-step exploration of the interaction possibilities and with recourse to observable behavior patterns, approaches to structured communication are described.

S. 41-71