Presented on Wednesday, September 28, 2022 at 09:00A

The typical police officer is trained and prepared to mitigate physical threats, but studies indicate that only about 2% of police-civilian interactions result in physical encounters. The vast majority of conflict events involving officers consist of interpersonal disputes with little actual violence. To successfully navigate the complexities associated with these disputes, officers must have a clear understanding of conflict, must appreciate how their presence changes the conflict dynamic, and must be able to apply various communication and conflict management techniques. Employing these techniques results in positive safety and enforcement outcomes, increased officer safety, reduced repeat calls, lower costs, and higher officer satisfaction rates.