Ferguson

Ferguson, New York, George Floyd and others, Solutions

An educator's comments on approaching people

Updated 4/22/21 

Educators throughout the years have been prepared for any possible situation that may arise.  When I was lead administrator at Craig Alternative School, a Milwaukee Public Alternative School serving students with severe emotional problems, as well as psychiatric issues, the severest of problems occurred on a regular basis.  We, as a school staff, became adept at handling them in a professional manner.  We were fortunate enough to have a consulting psychiatrist five therapists and the support of the Crises Prevention Institute. www.crisesprevention.com

CPI training taught us not only how to approach out of control students but we were able to pass this information on to the students so they could better handle crises situations.

This relates directly to the incident in Ferguson Mo as well as many other incidents.If you can approach young people out of control, you certainly can approach a young man simply walking in the street.  I am especially saddened at the loss of this young man because it could have been avoided.  I have attended way too many funerals of young people and it is way past time to do everything in our power to stop this epidemic.

To begin we must focus on the initial approach to a person whose actions are perceived as problematic.  At the time of approach by the officer, the known “crime” was walking in the street.  Not exactly punishable by death.  So how do we approach this situation without allowing it to escalate?  Was the situation so minor that he had to be approached at all?

Following the guidelines of nonviolent crises intervention, the first step is to be supportive.  In order to give the perception as well as the reality of being supportive it is important to be connected with the community as well as the people in that community.  Without that connection, the chances of escalation increase.  An officer, connected to the community has a much better chance of deescalating the situation simply by talking it through.  If the officer bypasses step 1 and goes directly to step 2, being directive, a confrontation is more likely. 

An example of what works is to approach the person of concern in a non threatening manner.  CPI teaches how, as well as where to stand to achieve this end.  And the conversation must also be aimed at deescalating a potential crises.  An example: " Hey guys how are you doing? Where are you from?  Oh I know that neighborhood" (site a reference point to show you have a connection)  After confidence is gained one might say "We need you to move off the street, ok?"  Be patient and then walk the person to the sidewalk.  

There are those who see this approach is weak, however, I see it as humanizing. When we look past the outer shell into the inner soul we see a human being.  And in many cases this will be effective. However, if at any time it isn't working proceed to step 2, directive. That is when you take charge of the situation and call for backup. Anything to avoid handling the situation alone is good.  First you have an additional set of eyes, and second the other officer can step in to mediate if necessary.  Through CPI we were taught that if a conflict occurs between the first respondent, that respondent steps back and the additional respondent takes over.  Often this will deescalate the situation.  If not, there is more than one person to become forceful.  Even if the incident was shoplifting, and I'm not sure that it was, this approach will not leave anyone dead and will come to an eventual solution.

The second responder is of utmost importance when it comes to stage 3, the restraint. Restraint should only be used when absolutely necessary like breaking up a fight, a physically aggresive person, and only when every other option has been tried.  We were taught never to restrain someone alone.  It is not safe.  We were taught how to control someone physically with out hurting them or us.  And never, ever would we put hands on or even near the throat, the head, the back or the chest.  

Restraint to the ground must be avoided in schools but might be applicable in extreme cases in the community with adults.  Once someone was on the ground they would be held with 3 or 4 people, one hand on their shoulder another on their outstretched arm for those near the front.  Near the feet, each person would hold one foot.  Never ever would we put any weight on their chest, neck, head or back.  First there would be dead silence, and then one person would quietly ask if the person is ready to cooperate.

This incident, however, is indicative of the increase in racism throughout the country. With voter suppression openly targeted at urban neighborhoods to four years of a Presidents language, to the shooting of so many black and brown youmg people, every effort is being made to revive the high level of racism of the past. Institutional racism is the main culprit and must be addressed.  It goes well beyond Ferguson and has taken decades and even centuries to eradicate. We must stay the course.

In many ways this is like a last gasp effort to give credence to the ways that are slowly working their way into the past.  Today there are way too many people who can see through the rhetoric denying racism and that number is growing.  When it raises it's ugly head, it must be addressed in no uncertain terms.

To continue the process toward fairness we offer several thoughts and hopes:

1. This incident must inspire all people, especially minorities, in a community to provide minority candidates who are representative of their constituents to run for all political offices.  

2.  All Americans across the country must vote in every election, no matter how small to assure equal representation.  Black and Latino votes can turn the tide in the fight against racism especially when there are Black and Latino candidates. 

3.  A campaign to end racism throughout the country must focus on sending a message to those politicians including radio and television talking heads who profit from subtle, or not so subtle racism.  

4.  Police departments, no matter how small or large must implement community policing including officers on bicycles or walking the beat.

5.  All police departments must hire officers that are representative of the community as well as representative of those who visit the community.  

6.  All officers be trained in non violent crises intervention in a manner similar to that presented by CPI.

7.  Schools become more involved in teaching character development including preparing students with the skills to avoid crises situations.  Although this would not appear on a standardized test, it would be helpful as situations may arise with other students as well as police officers.

These are only thoughts to ponder.  Those in the communities must draw from these or other sources to develop a plan of their own.  The time for action, nation wide, is now! 

www.wholechildreform.com