Exploring the attitudinal effects of a personality-based de-escalation training program: Findings from the National De-escalation Training Center

Abstract

Several high-profile incidents of police misconduct in the past decade have led to calls for reform and the prioritization of de-escalation training for law enforcement. However, the empirical evidence on various de-escalation strategies is in relative infancy. To further this scholarship, the current research represents a preliminary evaluation of the National De-escalation Training Center (NDTC) across several agencies and geographic regions of the United States. The study uses pre- and post-training data from over 500 trainees in the 6-month study period to determine if exposure to training informs changes to attitudes regarding procedural justice and de-escalation concepts. Factor analysis of the survey’s constructs and pre-post attitudinal change comparisons were conducted. Findings confirm that exposure to NDTC training resulted in significant improvements to procedural justice attitudes. Implications for in-service training and future research on long-term attitudinal change are explored.