According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, the word de-escalate is a verb meaning: to decrease in extent, volume, or scope. The term is frequently used in the law enforcement and mental health profession as a means to defuse a situation with a mentally ill individual.   In most cases, police officers arrive to an incident scene without full knowledge …

Crisis Intervention Training established the desire and need of law enforcement officers to improve their response when dealing with mentally ill persons in crisis. It was developed as a result of an incident that occurred in Memphis, Tennessee in September 1987. Police responded to a 911 call that involved a man with a history of mental illness who was cutting …