What Law Enforcement Officers Say

“This is a survival tool that should be mandatory to attend unless you want to make your job harder. This training needs to be an immediate addition to every police academy and in-service training across the nation. Jeff Golden and his crew are awesome and taught an old dog some new tricks. GREAT, NECESSARY TRAINING!” — Adam Golden, Palm Beach County, FL School District PD

“This is the growing trend in courts, in public opinion and in law enforcement organizations. It will lower the amount of force used, prevent injuries and gain compliance so we can accomplish our mission with less effort. This course is probably the future of police training.” — Kyle Totten, Daytona Beach, FL PD

“I’ve been in law enforcement for 29 years and I’ve been waiting 29 years for this training.” — Sgt. Mike Mobley, IL State Police

“A needed subject that gets little other coverage. Our whole job is to get things done with as little force as possible. This will be a great help.” — Patrolman Joseph Camp, Wichita, KS PD

“New techniques that can be helpful for a new generation of personalities. The skills will be beneficial to de-escalate anger with youth or any individual. These are simple skills that can easily de-escalate a hostile or angry situation.” — Special Agent H. Lester, Bureau of Law Enforcement, Div. of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco, FL State Dept. of Busn. & Professional Regulation.

“Valuable training. This is a skill every law enforcement officer (and corrections) should acquire. Specific tools, very clear and easy to understand to greatly reduce excessive force and more lives (both LEO and youth) can be saved.” — Ramona Schaefer, Pinellas County, FL Sheriff’s Office.

“Without any doubt your course works hands down. More agencies should be using it across the United States. Good material based on real life. Simple, clear and easy to use.” — Det. Fred Neal, South Holland, IL PD

“This is gold! This training will improve officer and youth safety through less use of force, less injury to officers and youth and less civil legal issues. Every aspect of the class can be used every day at my agency. Great job!” — David Nissensohn, Palm Beach County, FL School District PD

“This class will increase officer safety. It’s great training that will help decrease department and officer liability exposure.” — Dep. Stanley PJ Mays, Fulton Co., GA SO

“The community wants a peacefully attuned police department. To achieve that an agency should have de-escalation training to resolve issues of concern focusing on peaceful solutions. DE-ESCALATE provides the tools and concepts to achieve this goal.” — Lt. James Milton, FL Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations

“De-escalation is the trend in law enforcement and our officers need to know when and how to use it. This class makes it very simple to know when and how.” -Detective Chad Lawnsdail, FL Dept. of Financial Services, Div. of Investigative and Forensic Services

“The manner in which this was presented was outstanding.” — Sgt. Chris Chernock, South Sioux City, NE PD

“Thank you for the awesome class presentation and your efforts. We need to see officer safety as every contact with young people as that may very well dictate how they respond to the next officer they encounter.” — Lt. James Law, Pasco County, FL SO

“If it becomes available, do not hesitate to attend the class. It is very informative and anyone can use this. Time and time again parents call us to de-escalate behavior. More than usual, deputies handle it the wrong way. This class helps bring a better option than to go hands on.” — Cpl. Pedro A. Leos, Pasco Co. SO, FL SO

“A different approach to gaining compliance by using simple verbal techniques. I feel this will help with new ideas instead of the old “I am the cop.” — Cpl. Jonathan Cross, Pasco Co., FL SO

“Hello Sir,

I really enjoyed the training. Too bad I was sick with the flu and in great discomfort that day. Your program works…. I got to use the techniques today with an EBD student from another school other than my own. The student and I were not familiar with one another as a result. The scenario was a little different than the ones presented in class. The incident was complicated by the fact that the student was emotionally out of control, screaming hysterically, AND running down the road at the same time. I followed the student at a distance and let the student “burn herself out.” I was able to make contact and gain control of her without having to use any force. It took about 90 seconds just as you said it would. Thanks again for the excellent training. I believe it will be very beneficial to me in my work as an SRO. Have a great day.

Respectfully,

Corporal Kevin Stevenson
Youth Services Section
School Resource Officer & Gang Liaison
Pasco Co. FL SO”

“De-escalation can lead to less threats to officer safety.” — Lt. Lisa Barnett, Florida Highway Patrol

“Excellent training; long time coming. Should be taught in all police academies. It helps communicate better and diffuse situations.” — Special Agent C. Reyes, Bureau of Law Enforcement, Div. of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco, FL State Dept. of Busn. & Professional Regulation.

“Great training that pertains to real scenarios that happen and how to react in a way that enables more control over subjects. Good hands on training.” — Special Agent S. Funaro, Bureau of Law Enforcement, Div. of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco, FL State Dept. of Busn. & Professional Regulation.

“Communication techniques! Communication techniques!” — Officer Matthew Williamson, Gwinnett Co., GA PD

“I will use it every day.” — Cpl. Dan Mills, Pasco Co., FL SO

“Gave good examples of how to effectively control situations that can rapidly spiral out of control. Less use of force is a positive outcome to any scenario.” — Special Agent B. Frank, Bureau of Law Enforcement, Div. of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco, FL State Dept. of Busn. & Professional Regulation.

“If utilized, the safe tactics would keep escalation at a minimum level.” — Special Agent M. Hooper, Bureau of Law Enforcement, Div. of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco, FL State Dept. of Busn. & Professional Regulation.

“I would encourage other officers to take the training and I would also pass on what I have learned. Our youth will trust officers more to help deal with their problems and be more open in discussing their issues. Different measures in de-escalating situations will help reduce injury to others and self.” — Dep. Karen Nash, Fulton Co., GA SO

“Very good training that needs to be taught to every officer. Will help officers talk themselves out of unneeded situations.” — Special Agent I. Conway, Bureau of Law Enforcement, Div. of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco, FL State Dept. of Busn. & Professional Regulation.

“This is great training for all road officers to attend.” — Officer Richard White, Lilburn, GA PD

“The training department should implement this in their curriculum.” — Dep. Bridget Parker, Fulton Co., GA SO

“Training was excellent and much needed in today’s environment. The knowledge of how the youth mind works was much needed in order to understand them.” — Special Agent P. Fleischman, Bureau of Law Enforcement, Div. of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco, FL State Dept. of Busn. & Professional Regulation.

“I believe it can be utilized to reduce injuries, poor press and improve community relations. It is relevant and can be utilized to document use of force incidents.” — Special Agent V. Demps, Bureau of Law Enforcement, Div. of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco, FL State Dept. of Busn. & Professional Regulation.

“This training should be required for all agents.” — Special Agent M. Wilcox, Bureau of Law Enforcement, Div. of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco, FL State Dept. of Busn. & Professional Regulation.

“This de-escalation training will help either lower or eliminate injury to officers and youth by preventing our contacts with youth from escalating to violent encounters. The steps for de-escalation were very helpful and I think with practice they will become additional tools for me to better do my job.” — Special Agent S. Brown, Bureau of Law Enforcement, Div. of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco, FL State Dept. of Busn. & Professional Regulation.

“Very informative and useful information needed for all law enforcement. The information was enlightening and provided extra tools that hopefully lead to less physical altercations between youth and law enforcement and improve youth opinions of law enforcement officers.” — Special Agent C. Everett, Bureau of Law Enforcement, Div. of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco, FL State Dept. of Busn. & Professional Regulation.

“A very informative training that makes you think of other ways to improve your communication with youth and will remind me not to react too quickly with emotions but attempt to cool down the situation with words.” — Special Agent T. Williams, Bureau of Law Enforcement, Div. of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco, FL State Dept. of Busn. & Professional Regulation.

“Useful tools for officers to use in the field and helps officers not to have to go hands on…. Gives more positive contacts with LEOs.” — Special Agent J. Watts, Bureau of Law Enforcement, Div. of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco, FL State Dept. of Busn. & Professional Regulation.

“This training will greatly improve officer and youth safety and we need more training like this. The simple options that officers can use should be shared.” — Special Agent D. Roberson, Bureau of Law Enforcement, Div. of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco, FL State Dept. of Busn. & Professional Regulation.

“The course provides a greater understanding of the mental/emotional processes of young adults and a better understanding of how to address difficult situations. It gives some more options to the officer to be able to possibly avoid using force thus reducing injury.” — Special Agent WA Jarvis, Bureau of Law Enforcement, Div. of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco, FL State Dept. of Busn. & Professional Regulation.

“The training is very useful to deal with youth, understanding youth and providing tools to de-escalate them.” — Ofc. Isidro Yanez-Rodriguez, Norcross, GA PD

“Very informative training that will give officers a peace of mind and better understanding when dealing with youth.” — Ofc. Ashley King, Smyrna, GA PD

“Good informative techniques that added tools to handle calls for service with youth and young adults.” — Ofc. Matt Scott, Suwanee, GA PD

“It was very very very helpful. It’s great training because there are so many youth today committing crime and it will teach you how to deal with them.” — Dep. Chantae Taylor, Fulton Co., GA SO

“This was a very interesting class and I think every officer should be able to attend this training.” — Dep. Christine Streeter, Fulton Co., GA SO

“Extremely informative and well worth it. The demonstrations were extremely helpful.” — Dep. Christopher Roach, Fulton Co., GA SO

“The training give you more tools to deal with youth and can prevent officers from escalating to physical force.” — Emory Arnold, Clayton Co., GA Public Schools

“Please sign up for it…. This program should be added to law enforcement basic training and to annual in-service. It exposes you to different effective ways/techniques that can be used when dealing with teens/youth. It greatly opens the door to effective communication when dealing with the youth of today.” — Dep. Charles Martin, Fulton Co., GA SO

“I recommend officers take this class to advance their career in law enforcement with youth.” — Dep. Gregory Stewart, Fulton Co., GA SO

“This is REALITY TRAINING!! I most definitely recommend this training to other officers. It helps bridge the gap between LEOs and youth! Maybe youth will interact with LEOs better if more officers took this training.” — SRO Brian McDougal, Pasco Co., FL SO

“Good training with lots of content. It would be good for new SROs or patrol officers. This will prevent use of force or lower use of force rates among youth.” — Cpl. Kevin Brantley, Pasco Co., FL SO

“Helpful to all officers – especially patrol. Great techniques for dealing with angry/upset youth.” — Cpl. Brian Hernandez, Pasco Co., FL SO

“This is very valuable and can be used immediately.” — Cpl. Patrick Cottrell, Pasco Co., FL SO

“This can and will help dealing with students in real life. If we can de-escalate it we don’t have to go hands on.” — Cpl. Russell Knierieu, Pasco Co., FL SO

“Every agency should have their staff take this specialized training to better understand how to de-escalate youth aggression.” — Dep. Reuben Glanton, Fulton Co., GA SO

“Every deputy can benefit from this training. De-escalation techniques do work.” — Deputy Tina Martin, Court Services, Pasco Co. SO, FL SO

“The training makes sense when you learn the science behind it. I learned several triggers to avoid when speaking with angry youth and it should greatly reduce the use of force encounters.” — Cpl. Kevin Stevenson, Pasco Co., FL SO

“Great training with practical applications.” — Cpl. Mark Curtis, Pasco Co., FL SO

“Most officers have little to no training in the subject matter. As you meet youth on the streets it will help you deal with and de-escalate episodes of emotional behavior. Great job; keep up the good work.” — Cpl. Bryan Mobley, Pasco Co., FL SO

“This will improve safety by teaching and reinforcing effective communications. It’s good training! Loved the role players. Great job. Good instruction.” — Sean Wyman, Tallahassee, FL PD

“This is a very unique and important subject that does not get covered in training and should cut down on the use of force. The youth actors were great. Jeff’s approach to instruct this topic was fresh and new.” — Adam Kremer, Tactical Medics International

“This is the growing trend in courts, in public opinion and in law enforcement organizations. I would suggest that SROs and officers with domestic violence, youth violence and crimes in their areas attend this training. It will lower the amount of force used, prevent injuries and gain compliance so we can accomplish our mission with less effort. Instructor is very passionate. This course is probably the future of police training.” — Kyle Totten, Daytona Beach, FL PD

“It would be great to put uniformed patrol through this training as it will help build community. Very informative class!!!” — Ray Kellerman, Taylor County, FL SO

“This class has been great; in addition to getting me thinking, it provided solid, usable tools for de-escalation and interventional strategies in situations of juvenile aggression and/or violence.” — Investigator Gregory Bubb, FL State Fire Marshal

“I have had many cases where a juvenile displayed aggressive behavior and I was able to verbally de-escalate the situation….” — William Rowe, Dade City, FL PD

“It shows that there are different ways to deal with juveniles. This has been needed for some time. It will make a difference on how I deal with juveniles.” — Patrolman Steve Jerrell, Wichita, KS PD

“The instructor was well educated in the area. He made the material interesting to learn.” — Lt. Jerry Montagne, McPherson, KS PD

“Great information on juveniles and how to handle them physically and emotionally. I like the physical aspects; they would fit right in with our PPCT training.” — Dept. Jay Fleer, Johnson County, KS SO

“Provides needed training in an area that has not been addressed before.” — Shirley Major, IL Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board

“The explanation of the differences between juveniles and adults makes so much sense of problems I’ve encountered.” — Instructor Mark Hephner, KS Law Enforcement Training Center

“Great information was provided to help us become better officers in dealing with juveniles.” — Trooper David D. Diller, IL State Police