Author(s):
Markus Brand & Clemens Lorei &

Institution:
www.antigewalt.com und Hessische Hochschule für öffentliches Management und Sicherheit

Title:
De-escalating interactions with violent people

Abstract:
Even in a society that rejects violence, there are people who can be described as violent or even violence-seeking. These mostly male young people may not be as deterred by the threat of the use of state violence in the form of coercion as police officers are used to with other interaction partners in police operations. These people are also sometimes very practiced in the use of force and violence may play a special role in their lives. Everyday police behavior patterns can therefore be ineffective or even dangerous for the safety of the officers deployed. Such encounters can be challenging and de-escalation in such interactions can be difficult. It can help to know how these people perceive and think. The article therefore presents various characteristics and developments of people who are prepared to use violence, which can be of particular importance in interactions. These are, in particular, certain patterns of perception and escalation factors. On this theoretical basis, approaches are discussed in connection with the KODIAK de-escalation model, which can deal with such situations in a de-escalating and communicative manner. Particular emphasis is placed on self-protection.

S. 72-95