L.E.A.D.S.
Law Enforcement Active De-escalation Strategies
(1) Day Certification Training
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.
This practical and effective communication-based program equips officers with the skills to manage interpersonal confrontations, de-escalate volatile situations, and enhance professional interactions. The training is designed to reduce complaints, mitigate the use of force and importance of documentation, lower liability risks, and improve overall officer response.
Participants will learn to recognize aggressive behaviors and implement techniques to prevent escalation. The course emphasizes Active Diffusion Strategies that help avoid or resolve negative interactions through proven de-escalation methods. Additionally, it covers tactical responses for situations where diffusion tactics are either inappropriate or ineffective and introduces distraction techniques to enhance the success of tactical applications.
The training incorporates lectures, demonstrations, and case studies to ensure comprehensive and practical learning experience.
INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES:
Understanding Human Behavior and Conflict
• Discuss the psychophysiological aspects of human performance and how they relate to conflict resolution.
• Identify how oxygenated blood activity in the brain (pre-frontal cortex) is affected by anger, leading to irritability, impulsivity, and confusion.
• Understand the impact of rational thought during stress or anger, and how it is minimized in these states.
• Discuss the pre-frontal cortex and limbic systems of the brain and how they address conflict.
• Examine how the brain forms neurological imprints based on past experiences, responding to current stimuli with past practices (Evidence-Based Training Methods).
• Understand the concepts of “change blindness” and “in-attentional blindness” and how they affect cognitive responses during conflict.
• Identify the principles of “focus of attention” and how it applies in conflict responses.
Emotional Control and De-escalation Techniques
• Discuss how to control angry brain patterns and why officers must manage their emotional responses through the “Locus of Control.”
• Define and apply the three Cs of Conflict Resolution: Cooperation, Control, and Cover (including backup plans).
• Learn methods for controlling emotional responses and redirecting negative thought patterns through positive techniques.
• Understand the importance of “Teaming” terminology to create subconscious bonds and foster cooperation.
• Discuss motivational interviewing techniques to improve problem-solving and de-escalation outcomes.
• Learn strategies for tactical relocations and stalling techniques to avoid confrontations.
• Discuss the importance of displaying empathy and respect during communications, especially with agitated subjects or special populations.
• Learn to acknowledge the subject’s emotion first and then address the issue at hand.
• Discuss the principles of strategic responses as an option to mitigate the use of force.
Communication and Body Language
• Identify effective verbal de-escalation strategies and discuss how to create “Agreements of Communication.”
• Identify and use body language for both positive and threatening communications.
• Learn to use Blending and Redirection techniques during conversations to develop neural resonance.
• Identify the basic neuro-linguistic programming principles in relation to verbiage used in de-escalation.
Special Populations and High-Stress Situations
• Discuss appropriate responses for special populations (e.g., mental illness, autism, disabilities) when engaging in de-escalation efforts.
• Discuss the steps for addressing subjects in an agitated state, ensuring a safe and controlled response.
Use of Force and Legal Considerations
• Discuss how de-escalation or the lack thereof can influence legal outcomes in use-of-force incidents.
• Understand the importance of tracking and trending both use-of-force incidents and de-escalation successes to improve training and outcomes.
The FBI National Academy Associates 2022 Science and Innovation 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
** This course has been reviewed and approved by the United States Department of Justice
Over 350 Officers of the Hartford CT Police Department Trained in the L.E.A.D.S. Program
There are many training courses that tell officers what to do in certain situation; too few of them show the officers how to do it. The L.E.A.D.S. course fills this void. Through L.E.A.D.S. training Hartford Police Officers learned how to communicate more effectively; to identify physiological changes that occur when people get angry or hostile; to re-direct thought processes in order to deescalate hostile situations and to respond tactically when verbal diffusion fail. These skills are put to use daily by the men and women of the Hartford Police Department.”
Chief of Police – James C. Rovella
Hartford CT
Feedback Chief Rovella
650 Officers of the St Paul MN Police Department Trained in the L.E.A.D.S. Program
I personally benefited 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 MN
Letter of Endorsement from Judy Hanson-SP City Atty-Litigation
Your training has been well received by our department and we continue to reap its benefits. Our officers are using L.O.C.K.U.P. with great success. Across the board, our officers have been able to seamlessly transfer your training from the classroom to the street. From common contact to hands on arrest techniques, our officers are more professional, confident and effective. Officer injuries are down, suspect injuries are down, citizen complaints are down and our reports are clear, concise and very well documented. Likewise, I have seen officers, successfully, employ your LEADS – de-escalations strategies and prevent use of force situations. To say your training is outstanding would be an understatement! Once again, Thank you for your tireless efforts. We are all better off as a result. Stay safe, Hope to see you soon.”
Captain Fred Hall
Enfield CT PD
should note that as soon as the St Paul Department began to offer L.O.C.K.U.P. courses instructed by Lt Dillon and his staff, members of Law Enforcement Agencies from as far southwest as California and as far northeast as Nova Scotia began to come to St Paul to train. To date, over 50 Agencies and 2,000 individuals have been trained thru the St Paul Police Professional Development Institute in L.O.C.K.U.P. and L.E.A.D.S. (Law Enforcement Active Diffusion Strategies). Since 2012, L.E.A.D.S. has been an 8-hour staple of the St Paul Police Department’s 16 week Recruit Academy. Lt Kevin Dillon and his systems are critical to addressing the concerns of communities and the demands placed on Law Enforcement in the current culture.I
Edward L Lemon
Commander-St Paul Police Department
The L.E.A.D.S. + T program, if widely supported and presented in both recruit and in-service training, will not only increase officer safety, and enhance the standing of our law enforcement officers in their respective communities, helping to re-establish the positive police-citizen relationships essential to effective law enforcement in American society, it will help prevent needless tragedy and loss of life. Finally, the adoption of L.E.A.D.S. + T principles can help forestall needless litigation and the inevitable fiscal burdens on already strained government budgets. Lieutenant Dillon is to be commended for this valuable contribution to protecting our police officers, reducing the need for violent encounters between police and citizens, and thereby enhancing critical community relations.
Stephen R. Sarnoski
Connecticut Assistant Attorney General
Feedback Letter
In my opinion, the L.E.A.D.S. course is the best communications course available. KD is a dynamic and entertaining instructor, and his experience and depth of knowledge is second to none. The course breaks down and explains the very complex psychological and physiological processes that occur during volatile incidents into easily understandable concepts and tactics. This understanding allows the end user to actually apply diffusion strategies and communication tactics in the field. I definitely recommend this class and I believe that it will benefit your agency and your officers. Please contact me anytime if you need any additional information.
D/S Richard Doty
Training Coordinator/SWAT Sniper Team Leader
Osceola County Sheriff’s Office FL