ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The Albuquerque Police Department is launching an initiative to help business owners and other establishments become better equipped to handle dangerous situations. The “De-escalation Initiative” hosted its first training on Tuesday, focused on downtown and Nob Hill businesses.
APD said they’re hoping people who attend will leave feeling more confident to address difficult situations in and around the workplace. “So what we’re trying to do again is just give them the tools and the skill sets to be able to try to handle some of these problems before it becomes so agitated or so aggressive that police have to be involved,” said APD Sergeant Jeff Bludworth, Crisis Intervention Unit.
APD said the trainings are meant to address a range of tense situations, including frustrated customers, behavioral health crises, and loiterers. During Tuesday’s training, APD discussed active listening skills, how to spot signs of agitation, and how to know when a situation is likely to escalate to violence…