De-Escalation Guide

Occupy DC offers the following tips for de-escalating situations with the police.  When confronted by law enforcement or security, it is absolutely critical to remain calm, and to not escalate tense situations. Sometimes, that’s not as easy as it looks. This handy guidebook thing is here to help you. Read it, memorize it, love it. This is your bible for when things get tense.

• Back off! Literally. Take at least one to two steps back, to show you are not being aggressive.

• Take a deep breath. This is not for screaming. This is to make you pause before saying something in anger.

• Do take your hands out, in clear view, in front of you, showing you are not holding a weapon. Not in your pockets.

• Do not point, shake your finger, make fists. These are aggressive and threatening. Bad idea.

• Do not turn your back at any time. This makes it look like you are ignoring them. Not cool, bro.

• Do apologize. Even if you aren’t in the wrong, apologize. This can go a long way to de-escalating the situation.

• Do not be defensive or judgmental. Nobody is automatically in the wrong.

• Do not accuse or threaten. If you do this, rest assured, you are in for a world of trouble.

• Do not yell or scream. Raise your voice CALMLY if you need to do so to be heard.

• Do respond calmly to questions, no matter how rude the other person is.

• Do empathize with feelings even if you disagree with the behavior. Cops have it rough too.

• Do not argue or try to sway them to your side. We’re de-escalating here, it’s not the Oslo Accords.

• Do listen to what the other person is saying. Don’t just dismiss it or tune it out. Seriously. Listen.

• Do acknowledge the other person’s concerns. You’d expect them to acknowledge yours – so you better do the same.