Solving De-escalation Through the Calculus of Reasonableness

Saturday, October 19, 2024

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM ET

Location: 252AB

Submitter(s)

HR

Henry Rolon

Chief, Office of Public Affairs
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC)

Speaker(s)

MA

Michael Ausmus

Senior Instructor
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC)
Glynco, Georgia, United States
Samuel Lochridge

Branch Chief
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC)
Glynco, Georgia, United States

Among the problems facing modern law enforcement is the rapidly evolving challenge of de-escalating use-of-force situations. The U.S. Supreme Court recognized in Graham v. Connor that the calculus of reasonableness must make allowances for the rapidly evolving nature of police use-of-force encounters. In Graham, the court identified several factors, including the immediacy of the threat to the officer or others, that all courts should consider in determining the reasonableness of a use of force. An officer’s recognition and ability to manipulate these factors, particularly the immediacy of the threat, may directly impact their ability to achieve de-escalation. This block of instruction will examine the relationship between the Graham factors and de-escalation.