L.E.A.D.S. Law Enforcement Active De-escalation Strategies
The award winning L.E.A.D.S. ™ training program, Law Enforcement Active De-escalation Strategies was developed by internationally recognized law enforcement trainer and speaker Lt. Kevin F. Dillon (Ret) in 2007 for law enforcement, corrections and private security operations. The program is an easy-to-use communication program that addresses interpersonal confrontations. This training will enhance communications skills, help de-escalate engagements, reduce complaints, mitigate the use of force, reduce liability, and enhance officer professional response. Through lectures, demonstrations, role play, and practical scenario applications, this course will instruct students and/ or develop instructors in the L.E.A.D.S. ™ Plus T – Law Enforcement Active Diffusion Strategies and Tactical Options Program. The course is classroom and reality based to educate instructors or users in effective communications skills, de-escalation techniques, understanding human emotions, conflict resolution and documentation. The course teaches how to recognize aggressive behaviors and keep the situation from escalating. Students learn Active Diffusion Strategies that can avoid or resolve negative interactions by employing effective de-escalation methods. This course also discusses tactical responses to use when diffusion tactics are inappropriate or ineffective, and teaches distraction techniques that promote the success of tactical applications.
The L.E.A.D.S. ™ Plus T – Law Enforcement Active Diffusion Strategies and Tactical Options was developed in 2007 receiving national recognition. It has been presented and established curriculum in in the states of CT, RI, MA, ND, MN, MO, MI, SD, CO, AK, CA, AZ, WY, TX, FL, NE, and NM.
Agencies under a Federal Consent Decree have had the L.E.A.D.S. ™ curriculum reviewed and approved by the United States Department of Justice as part of the Consent agreement.
F.B.I National Academy Associates 2022 Science and Innovation Award.
The L.E.A.D.S. program along with the L.O.C.K.U.P. Arrest and Control System received the F.B.I National Academy Associates 2022 Science and Innovation Award.
The selection committee unanimously selected Lt. Dillon’s L.O.C.K.U.P. Arrest and Control Training and L.E.A.D.S. Law Enforcement Active Diffusion Strategies Training Systems over all other nominees as the recipient of the award. The L.O.C.K.UP. training differentiated itself from other Defensive tactics programs being instructed throughout the country. L.O.C.K.U.P. is not a technique-based training system but the emphasis is on the actual collection of data on the use of force incidents, and detailed reporting to determine the effectiveness and needs assessments of the officers on the street. The L.E.A.D.S. De-escalation is fully integrated and interleaved with the L.O.C.K.U.P. Arrest and Control System. The training is designed to address circumstantial, contextual, or situational engagements.
FBI National Academy Associates – Charitable Foundation Award
The 3 Day Instructor Course, participants will develop the knowledge and skills they need to train officers working in correctional environments, as they will learn how to conduct training iterations for the 2, 4, 8 or 12 hours L.E.A.D.S.™ programs. Participants who successfully complete this “Instructor Course” are qualified to train officers in the L.E.A.D.S. ™ curriculum. The L.E.A.D.S. program has integrated “Understanding Fair & Impartial Policing” into the program.
I personally benefitted from this training and I would highly recommend it for officers, police managers and attorneys who defend officers. Thank you for including me and my fellow litigators in this valuable training.” Judith A. Hanson Assistant City Attorney – City of Saint Paul
I had the pleasure of attending Kevin Dillon’s “LEADS” class on April 28, 2016 at Manchester Community College. This training is essential to help officers avoid use of force incidents and to provide them with the ability to employ force when necessary in a manner which will appear more reasonable when viewed by the public. Kevin’s training provides practical instruction on de-escalation tactics to promote legal and legitimate use of force. Kevin is able to maintain the officers’ interest by maintaining a well -paced and entertaining presentation. He has credibility because of his municipal police experience and honest approach to current use of force issues. Elliot B. Spector Esq.
The Trust provides insurance to municipal entities in Rhode Island, and recently updated its model Use of Force Policy for member police departments. Consistent with contemporary best practices, the model policy emphasizes the strategies of diffusion and de-escalation when police officers are faced with confrontational situations. Having attended L.E.A.D.S. training, I was impressed with how well the course curriculum and Kevin’s presentation dovetailed with our model policy. Inspector Paul F. Dutra, Esq.
97% of attending officers rated the course at the highest rating!