The Importance of De-escalation in Security

Two Premium Investigations security officers talking to each other.

Security guards help prevent crime and provide quick reactions to situations. Knowing how to react in situations plays a huge role in the final outcome.

The unfortunate truth is that the moment that physical force or violence is used by anyone, whether aggressor or security officer, everyone in the area is at risk of getting injured. Property is also more likely to be damaged. Responding to such situations can easily become very dangerous.

One of the best ways to avoid these risks is to prevent them from occurring in the first place. Preventive measures not only help mitigate physical harm and damage, it also makes employees and guests feel safer. De-escalation tactics are some of the best tools a security guard has to prevent situations.

De-escalation is a combination of identifying escalating situations and using proven methods to reduce tension. When used correctly, these strategies provide some of the best protection for both people and property.

Identifying escalating situations is the first crucial step in de-escalation. In most cases, the buildup of tension will happen on site. There are many physical cues and readable body language that an attentive security guard can identify. This includes abusive language, heavy breathing, and finger pointing.

Then, the security guard has to respond to the situation appropriately. De-escalation involves remaining calm and in control of the situation. This means knowing how to react, right down to the words they say. A lot of de-escalation involves little to no physical contact. A properly trained security guard will know which movements and words would help de-escalate, and also which ones to avoid. The goal throughout the whole process is to have the aggressor calm down to a state where violence won’t be used.

De-escalation requires proper training so that a security officer can use it the moment they identify a potentially dangerous situation. Premium Investigations works hard to give our security officers the best training available through our Training Academy. There, they learn not only how to de-escalate situations, but Basic Life Support and Stop the Bleed. When you need to secure your facility, turn to the ones who strive for quality and prevention. Reach out to us today.