According to the Statista Research Department (2020), deaths caused by police shootings in the US is increasing every year.  As of 2019 there were 1,004 fatal shootings in the US, which is significantly higher than other countries, like England that had only 13 in 2019.  Fatal shootings among Black Americans is the highest over all ethnicities with 31 fatal shootings for every one million people. Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Mike Brown, Eric Logan, Atatiana Jefferson, Aura Rosser, Stephon Clark, Alton Sterling are just some of the many deaths by police that may have been prevented with de-escalation tactics.

There are policies that explain the use of force as being "objectively reasonable" which means that each situation requires the police officer to decide what amount of force is reasonable. The Defense and Arrest Tactics (DAAT) Disturbance Resolution Model explains "Approach Considerations" and "Intervention Options," however, none of which explain how to apply verbal de-escalation techniques.  According to Ringler (2017), there are 8 main de-escalation techniques and they not only take training, but also practice in order to master them.

Requiring de-escalation training as part of the use of force policies for police officers would also require practicing these techniques, and even provide some accountability for what is considered "objectively reasonable" amount of force. Please sign this petition to continue spreading awareness, fighting for criminal and social justice in this particular area, and encouraging police departments to adapt their use of force policies.

Ringler, R. (2017, May 30). The 8 most effective de-escalation techniques in corrections. Corrections1. https://www.corrections1.com/corrections-training/articles/the-8-most-effective-de-escalation-techniques-in-corrections-jN0RMEriIsox1LuE/

Statista Research Department. (2020, August 6). People shot to death by U.S. police, by race 2017-2020. Statista.https://www.statista.com/statistics/585152/people-shot-to-death-by-us-police-by-race/