Document Everett_doc_ce499d1995

Workplace Violence Personal Conduct to Minimize Workplace Violence EVERETTWASHINGTONUSA For emergencies, call 911 Everett Police Department Crime Prevention Unit [PHONE REDACTED] [EMAIL REDACTED] www.EverettPolice.org The following suggestions are designed to assist in your daily interactions with de- escalating potentially violent situations. If a person’s behavior escalates beyond a reasonable level or they become physical - Disengage and immediately call 911. DO: ◊ Project calmness ◊ Listen - Encourage dialogue ◊ Project a relaxed and attentive posture ◊ Acknowledge feelings to indicate you know they are upset ◊ Establish ground rules if unreasonable behavior persists ◊ Calmly describe the consequences of violent behavior ◊ Use delaying tactics to give the person time to calm down. ◊ Point out choices and reassure everything will be OK ◊ Break big problems into small choices ◊ Accept criticism and ask clarifying questions ◊ Ask for recommendations and repeat back what is said DO NOT: ◊ Accept demands from the actor ◊ Physically contact the other person ◊ Make sudden or threatening movements ◊ Challenge, belittle, threaten or dare the individual ◊ Criticize or act impatient ◊ Attempt to bargain ◊ Try to make the situation seem less serious than it is ◊ Make false statements or promises you cannot keep ◊ Use complicated words or technical defi nitions ◊ Take sides or agree with distortions ◊ Get blocked from the exit