Communication & PRQuestion 162 of 200
'Verbal Judo' / tactical communication training, often referenced in BSIS de-escalation curricula, centers on which core principle?
a.Generating voluntary compliance through empathy, professional courtesy, and treating people with dignity — even when issuing lawful commands
b.Using verbal commands as loudly and repeatedly as needed until compliance
c.Mocking subjects into compliance through humor
d.Refusing to speak with subjects, communicating only through physical gestures
Explanation
Verbal Judo, developed by Dr. George Thompson, teaches officers to seek voluntary compliance through empathy, calm tone, professional courtesy, and treating subjects with dignity. Core skills include LEAPS (Listen, Empathize, Ask, Paraphrase, Summarize) and offering choices that preserve the subject's face. Yelling (b), mockery (c), and silence (d) escalate, damage credibility, and provoke complaints and civil litigation. The technique improves both outcomes and officer safety by reducing the frequency of physical confrontations.
Law Reference: Dr. George Thompson, 'Verbal Judo'; BSIS de-escalation curriculumPractice all 200 questions free — no signup required.
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