Key Points
- Florida State University and the Leon County Sheriff's Office conducted a study to examine de-escalation techniques and improve peaceful conflict resolution.
- The study revealed that nearly 97% of encounters were calm initially, while deputies applying de-escalation techniques successfully resolved volatile situations without using force.
A three-year research collaboration between Florida State University's College of Criminology and Criminal Justice, and the Leon County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) has produced one of the most comprehensive real-world studies on police de-escalation to date.
The findings demonstrate that de-escalation goes beyond a natural personality trait and is a measurable, teachable skill that reduces force and keeps communities safer.
After recognizing that agencies across the country heavily document uses of force but overlook successful de-escalation, Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil launched the study. He wanted a reliable way to measure peaceful resolutions in the field, dedicating LCSO resources, workspaces and personnel to partner directly with FSU.
"This initiative shows what is possible when a tier-one research university and a forward-thinking law enforcement agency unite around a shared mission," said Keller Sheppard, one of the study's lead academic researchers. "By building this partnership from the ground up, we established a national model for how research and operational policing can work together to protect both officers and the public."
"This initiative shows what is possible when a tier-one research university and a forward-thinking law enforcement agency unite around a shared mission. By building this partnership from the ground up, we established a national model for how research and operational policing can work together to protect both officers and the public."
- Keller Sheppard, an assistant professor in the College of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Led by Capt. James Pittman, head of LCSO's Professional Standards and Research Bureau, and Keller Sheppard, an assistant professor in the College of Criminology and Criminal Justice, the study culminated in the report "Dissecting De-escalation: A Collaborative Research Initiative." The initiative was supported in part by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services.
To evaluate these interactions, researchers defined de-escalation as any action, statement or consideration by an officer that decreases the likelihood or severity of force. Moving past the limitations of earlier ride-along studies, the team reviewed more than 1,000 incident recordings, using 10 trained coders to analyze unredacted body-worn camera footage second by second across multiple blind passes.
"Researchers very infrequently get access to this kind of 'treasure trove' of data, much less an invitation to participate in shaping how it is collected, coded, analyzed and applied," Sheppard said. "It was a true, meaningful collaboration between academics and practitioners that gives dedicated officers the evidence-based tools and knowledge they need to maximize their potential and better serve their communities."
The study revealed that roughly 97% of official citizen encounters were calm and cooperative from the start. Agitated interactions accounted for approximately 2.7%, while formal use of force occurred in just 0.05% of all calls.
"We are dealing with the most volatile situations where lives are on the line, and if this research shapes training nationwide, we have an opportunity to move the needle," Pittman said. "Even shifting that rate from 0.05% to 0.04% means saving lives, making every dollar and all three years invested entirely worth it."
The research proved that de-escalation can be systematically taught. Deputies who utilized more de-escalation techniques were significantly more likely to resolve encounters without force. Specific behaviors that improved outcomes included giving individuals a voice, separating them from sources of agitation and providing clear explanations.
Following an in-study training trial, LCSO expanded the evidence-based curriculum agencywide to all patrol deputies and correctional staff at the Leon County Detention Facility. Sheppard and Pittman are now preparing peer-reviewed manuscripts and plan to present their findings to national law enforcement leaders at the International Association of Chiefs of Police conference.
"Translational research is at the core of our college's dedication to advancing evidence-based criminal justice," said Thomas Blomberg, dean of the College of Criminology and Criminal Justice. "Working directly with local law enforcement to translate real-world data into practical training is a pioneering approach, and it provides a forward-looking model that will help guide the future of policing across the nation."
This partnership reflects FSU's commitment to taking research directly into our local community to solve critical, everyday public safety challenges. By studying real interactions across Leon County, researchers turned academic data into practical training that strengthens public trust, resolves daily crises peacefully and keeps neighborhoods safer.
"Effective de-escalation strengthens trust between law enforcement and the community while helping create safer outcomes for everyone involved," Sheriff Walt McNeil said. "This research allows us to better understand what works in real-world encounters and use those findings to continue improving how we serve the people of Leon County."
The complete report, "Dissecting De-escalation: A Collaborative Research Initiative," is available through the Leon County Sheriff's Office. An in-depth discussion on the findings featuring Sheriff Walt McNeil and Capt. James Pittman is also available on "Leon County Today."
To learn more about ongoing research initiatives, visit the FSU College of Criminology and Criminal Justice website.
