National Guardsmen Strengthen Skills Through De-Escalation Training

Soldiers from across the country participated in a de-escalation course hosted by the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, Sept. 8, at the District of Columbia National Guard Armory in Washington.

The group of soldiers — primarily military police officers — represent several states currently supporting the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force, Joint Task Force District of Columbia mission. They have been primarily tasked with providing assistance to local law enforcement as part of patrols across the district. 
 
The training is focused on equipping both civilian and military law enforcement officers with tools to achieve peaceful outcomes during high-intensity encounters. The instruction emphasizes communication skills and conflict resolution strategies designed to reduce the need for force and strengthen community trust. 
 
“Almost every encounter we have as law enforcement starts and ends with words,” said D.C. Metropolitan Police Department Sgt. Marc Sansone, who led the training. “That sets the tone and closes the book for the interaction.”
 
Included in the training were ways to de-escalate a conflict, how to observe traits during interactions, how to build rapport and how to use active listening when interacting with the public — particularly those in need. 
 
Army Capt. Aram Webb, assigned to the District of Columbia National Guard’s Multi-Agency Augmentation Command, helped make the training a reality. The idea came to him from enlisted leaders on the ground in the district, who felt the training would make their teams better prepared to deal with what they may encounter on a day-to-day basis. 
 
“They were looking for additional ways and techniques to manage situations,” Webb explained. “Overall, the soldiers have done a great job keeping everyone calm and working to lower tensions, but these techniques we are talking about are for soldiers to use to de-escalate not [just] the situation and other people, but themselves as well.” 
 
Local and federal law enforcement partners in Washington have worked closely with National Guardsmen since the mission began in mid-August. Training opportunities for soldiers provided by those partners only further underscores the strong interagency cooperation both parties have developed in their pursuit to make Washington safe for those who work, live and visit the area. 
 
“The fact we are getting this great support from the [D.C.] Metropolitan Police Department is huge, and we are extremely appreciative of that,” Webb said. “It highlights the integrated mission we have and the partnership we have developed.”