The April incident with video regarding the traffic stop of a 60-year-old, non-English speaking Holyoke woman by two Northampton police officers is both disturbing and unfortunate for all involved including the woman and the police. I would like to offer a perspective from 20 years of experience training health professionals and community workers on ways to avoid violence and to de-escalate individuals who are threatening or hostile. Most simply put, our brains function differently under stress. We become hyper alert to threats. Our experiences of the past, especially trauma, are triggered resulting in defensive attitudes. We then resort to patterns of behavior that may have served us in the past whether or not they are appropriate to the current situation. In behavioral health, we train our health care and community workers accordingly, to always use calm voices, remain neutral (not judgmental), and keep communication as simple and clear as possible in both words and tone. Always answer reasonable questions and clarify the options that are available. In health care, these behaviors are expected of staff under all circumstances.
Both in my work as a psychiatric professional and just living in Northampton, I have witnessed interactions by the Northampton Police where de-escalation skills were demonstrated skillfully and compassionately. These skills are not just nice to have but they are essential for public safety. I look forward to the introduction in the near future of the Northampton Division of Community Care (DCC) under the city’s Department of Health and Human Services. I am proud to have participated on the Policing Review Commission which recommended the DCC. The DCC can be a great alternative to some policing activities, but it will not be a substitute for compassionate policing. Our police must have de-escalation skills including patience, compassion, awareness of cultural differences, and clear communication to safely intervene and respect our citizens. The police will certainly be encountering vulnerable individuals in defensive postures both fearful and confused. We must do better.
Nick Fleisher
Northampton