What is the primary goal of de-escalation and crisis intervention in policing?

• A. To reduce risk of harm by addressing mental health needs and calming the situation.
• B. To escalate force to quickly gain compliance.
• C. To remove the subject from the scene without assessment.
• D. To document the incident for legal purposes only.

Answer: (A)

De-escalation and crisis intervention are about safety and preserving life by reducing the chances of harm when someone is in crisis. The primary goal is to calm the situation and address the person’s mental health needs, which helps prevent injuries to the subject, officers, and bystanders and opens the door to connecting them with appropriate resources.

This approach works by using calm communication, giving space and time, listening, and offering options rather than force. Escalating force would raise the danger level and counter the purpose of de-escalation. Removing the person without assessment ignores underlying distress and safety concerns. Focusing only on documenting the incident for legal purposes misses the immediate aim of reducing risk and stabilizing the scene.