Maine – L.E.A.D.S. – Law Enforcement Active De-escalation Strategies Instructor Training

Maine Dept. of Corrections
 Hosts
L.E.A.D.S. – Law Enforcement Active De-escalation Strategies
3 Day – Instructor Training
March 18 – 20, 2025  0830 – 1630

It was an honor and a pleasure to meet you and present our Instructor-Level Training on L.E.A.D.S.® (Law Enforcement Active De-escalation Strategies) at the Maine Department of Corrections March 18- 19, 2025.  The training was extremely well received, with all officers actively engaged throughout the course. Their enthusiasm, dedication, and professionalism were evident, contributing to a highly successful training session. A review of the course evaluations reflected overwhelming satisfaction from the attending members. For your reference, I have attached an assessment of the evaluations.

A special thanks to Roy King for ensuring we had everything needed to facilitate the training. His support and attention to detail made the experience seamless and enjoyable. 

This is what the attending students had to say:
Please assess the quality of this presentation.

Comments
• Very high quality, this training taught so much more than the implied material. It taught how to learn and teach more effectively.
• Awesome class! Awesome info! I use this daily!
• Lieutenant Dillon is excellent and delivers a huge amount of information in a short time while also making it all makes sense together
• I enjoyed Kevin’s energy and in-depth lessons. He provided both the whys and the how regarding his methods
• K.D. (Lt. Dillon) levels of experience and knowledge was exceptional
• He provided examples and broke down everything for us. He gave us pieces to bring back to our agency.
• In depth review of the concepts, good examples and video.
• Great, on task, Engaging.
• The presentation combined a variety of content delivery methods that assisted with not only retaining info but also kept the attention of the participants
• Great visual and videos included
• Great facts but it felt a bit disorganized, slides versus handout.

Please assess the instructors of this program. Lieutenant Kevin Dillon (Ret)
Comments
• Amazing. Very engaging well spoken, insightful, experience, friendly, professional.
• Excellent trainer
• top notch. Absolute expert in his field
• KD is very knowledgeable and engages with the class
• Kevin is the best law enforcement instructor I have had post Academy
• The instructor was awesome! Very knowledgeable on these topics exciting and dynamic, knowledgeable in the material in PowerPoint did not read off it.
• Very involved, animated. Easy to follow and stay engaged I was truly impressed with KD’s instruction style. The intensity, energy and passion he demonstrated in each topic was reflective of his experience and dedication
• Great great energy and knowledgeable

Please explain how this training will enable you to change or improve your present assignment.
Comments
• Help with my communication and situational awareness. Will help to teach trainees or FTO.
• I will continue to teach my deputies and recruits. I currently teach this course annually
• Teaching new topics in better versions of old concepts will greatly enhance the potential impact in my agencies.
• I believe this training will help both how I interact with the community as well as how I train new officers
• Anything you can learn new strategies is very helpful when dealing with the public.
• This training will allow me to work with my caseload better and allow me to train others in my agency to use these skills as well.
• Better understanding and how we handle calls deal with citizens and report writing.
• I can now better explain and train my officers. The breakdown of breath redirection teaming is very powerful 2 bring back to my agency.
• This training will enable us to bring the content to our Police Department for yearly trainings
• Much better presentation skills, facts, loved it.

This nationally recognized, award-winning certification course in conflict resolution and de-escalation is designed for law enforcement professionals. The L.E.A.D.S.™ Plus T – Law Enforcement Active De-escalation Strategies program, developed in 2007, is widely utilized across the United States.

Through lectures, demonstrations, role-playing, and practical scenario applications, this instructor-level program equips participants with the knowledge and skills needed to train others in L.E.A.D.S.™ strategies. The course focuses on developing positive communication skills, effective de-escalation techniques, anger management strategies, and confrontation avoidance methods.

Participants will learn how to recognize and manage aggressive behaviors to prevent escalation. The curriculum emphasizes Active De-escalation Strategies, enabling students to resolve or defuse negative interactions effectively. Additionally, the course addresses tactical responses for situations where de-escalation is inappropriate or ineffective and teaches distraction techniques to enhance the success of tactical applications.

INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES:

• Transform Negative Communication into Positive Outcome
  • Learn techniques to shift negative interactions into constructive and positive communication.
• Identify the Professional Benefits of Respect
  • Understand how showing respect enhances communication and builds trust in professional settings.
• Master Anger Management Techniques
  • Acquire strategies to manage anger effectively and maintain control during high-stress situations.
• Implement Verbal De-escalation Strategies
  • Learn effective methods to defuse tense situations through verbal communication.
• Develop Community Empowerment and Partnership Strategies
  • Discover ways to build trust and foster partnerships within the community.
• Understand Physiological Changes During Aggression
  • Explore the body’s physiological responses to aggression and how they affect behavior and decision-making.
• Utilize Cognitive Limitations for Active Diffusion
  • Learn how to use cognitive techniques to diffuse aggressive behavior and redirect focus.
• Redirect Thought Processes Through Positive Techniques
  • Master methods to guide individuals toward calmer and more cooperative mindsets.
• Communicate Effectively with Special Populations
  • Develop strategies to respond compassionately and effectively to individuals with mental illnesses, autism, or disabilities.
• Learn Motivational Interviewing Skills
  • Acquire techniques to encourage cooperation and foster goal-oriented communication.
• Tactical Relocation Strategies
  • Learn methods to tactically reposition and delay confrontations for safer outcomes.
• Build Community Partnerships Through Daily Interactions
  • Develop skills to create stronger community relationships through everyday engagement.
• Facilitate Role-Playing Breakout Sessions
  • Learn how to design and conduct breakout sessions to practice real-world scenarios through role-playing exercises.
• Combine Communication and Physical Strategies to De-escalate
  • Integrate verbal and physical techniques to effectively manage and de-escalate volatile situations.
• Examine De-escalation in Litigation
  • Understand how de-escalation—or the lack thereof—can impact legal outcomes and liability.
• Master Teaching Methodologies and Adult Learning Principles
  • Learn effective classroom and scenario-based facilitation techniques to engage adult learners.
• Develop Comprehensive De-escalation Strategies
  • Expand communication and physical skills to create a holistic approach to de-escalation and conflict resolution.

REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

FBI National Associates 2022 Science and Innovation Award
L.O.C.K.U.P. Arrest and Control Training  & L.E.A.D.S. Law Enforcement Active Diffusion

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Course Flier

LOCATION of TRAINING:

Maine Dept. of Corrections
25 Tyson Dr. Augusta Maine 04330
Contact – Roy King
roy.king@maine.gov

L.E.A.D.S. Law Enforcement Active De-escalation Strategies
Instructor Training
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June 4 – 7, 2024

What the Students had to say!