Officers undergoing training on how to de-escalate a tense situation focused on a central question Thursday: How would Aristotle work as a beat cop?
Retired Raleigh Police Chief Harry Dolan shared his answer to that question, developed from his 32 years as a police officer, with a group of about 60 officers from Greer and neighboring law enforcement agencies at Greer City Hall. The Greer Police Department offered the session to provide additional insight on managing verbal conflicts.
Officers learned that communicating with logic and ethics, reading body language and treating others with respect are some of the most important skills they can use while on patrol.
Not enough officers are being reminded of those tactics when they join the force, Dolan said.
“Everyone wants to be treated with dignity and respect,” he said. “The most powerful word in the English language is empathy.”
Dolan said the way an officer responds to a noncompliant person could determine whether that person ends up complying or becoming combative.
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