Warren police implement emotional intelligence training to combat stress
WARREN, Mich. (FOX 2) - It is called the silent killer that affects many every day, stress. Everyone goes through stress, especially police who are on the job to protect and serve.
So how does law enforcement get around the silent killer when in a heated encounter with a citizen?
Warren Police believe there’s training to help law enforcement correctly identify and handle these challenges.
It’s called Emotional Intelligence Training.
"This training helps our officers to recognize when they are making emotional decisions or when their emotions could influence their decision-making and also to recognize emotions in other people," said Lt. Brent Chisolm with Warren police.
On Thursday, the Warren Police Department held training for its peer support team where Detective Carla Rexford underwent training to teach the class.
"When I’m on a call I’m able to take a breath if I need to take a step back, take a moment get yourself together, and then I’m able to intelligently go forward," she said.
"We’re the first department to my knowledge to do a full day emotional intelligence training for all sworn personnel in the state of Michigan," said Chisolm.
There are four key components that make up emotional intelligence training, according to the police,
- Self-awareness
- Self-management
- Social awareness
- Relationship management
It’s awareness that could have prevented now former Warren police officers from being involved in a struggle with a semi-truck driver in July 2023, or even a now former officer from assaulting a man in the city lockup.
"Emotional intelligence in other agencies has shown to reduce usage of force by 40% and citizen complaints by 20%," said Chisolm.
Warren police say there are many benefits that come from this training, and they’re not all for work as it can also benefit personal relationships with loved ones and children.
"This again a way to prevent our officers from having the physical affects of all the circulated trauma they go through their careerist," said Chisolm.