| De-escalation Training Prepares Deputies for High-Stress Situations |
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The Training Division uses a virtual training simulation to train deputies on how to respond to different high-stress scenarios they will encounter on the job.
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In the spring of 2016, Deputy Shane Stiles was an officer with the Chattanooga Police Department in Tennessee and was dispatched to an incident involving a mother who was in mental health crisis and armed with a knife near her children. She had found a red stain on her porch, triggering traumatic memories of her brother's death. Even though the red stain was just ketchup, it caused an emotional response. When Deputy Stiles arrived on the scene, the woman had lost touch with reality, was frightened, and holding a deadly weapon.
Deputy Stiles employed de-escalation tactics to help her calm down. While he stood in front of her and persuaded her to put the knife down, the other officers present swooped in to get the children to safety, and Deputy Stiles safely took the woman to a hospital to recover.
This was just one instance where Deputy Stiles used de-escalation tactics during his law enforcement career to help diffuse a dangerous situation. Today, he serves in the Training Division at the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office and uses his experiences to prepare both new and seasoned deputies how to handle high-stress situations.
"De-escalation is one of our best tools," Deputy Stiles said. "It has helped me through all of my career. The key is knowing when to use it. Safety is always our number-one concern when using these tactics--for the deputies, the community, and the individual in crisis."
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Deputy Shane Stiles (pictured right) observes a trainee as he interacts with an actor during a role-play training exercise.
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The Training Division teaches de-escalation three ways: in the classroom, with the simulator, and through live role-play scenarios. The simulator is a computer program that plays scenarios on a large screen for the deputies to interact with. The technology is a useful tool in helping deputies learn how to make good decisions in a safe environment. Though it is a great way to train deputies, Deputy Stiles most often uses actors and live role-play exercises to help them develop critical-thinking skills.
"The calls deputies respond to may be similar, but they are never exactly the same," Deputy Stiles said. "So we do our best to create high-stress scenarios they will encounter in the field. As a deputy, you have to think quickly, and sometimes you have to make decisions faster than you want to. But, they need to make that crucial decision when it's best to use de-escalation to ensure everyone's safety."
Deputy Stiles along with the other trainers in the division observe how their trainees respond to the scenarios and then give them feedback on what they did well and how they can improve. Whether the deputy talks to the individual in a calm voice, raises it to get the person's attention, or tells a story about their own life to establish common ground, de-escalation tactics could determine if the person cooperates with law enforcement.
Deputy Stiles iterates that beyond active listening and communication, empathy is often a powerful method as well. The deputy could relate to the subject by saying he has a similar car, hobby, or family situation.
"Some people think we're different because we wear a uniform," he said. "But if they can see we are human too, the interaction goes a lot better. We help them realize we are on their side and are there to help them."
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Safety Presentations Available on Zoom
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Follow us on Instagram: @pinellas_so
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Meet the Stars: Joe Wilson
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Joe Wilson is a Probation Specialist in the Misdemeanor Probation Unit and has served at the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office (PCSO) since 2017. Before coming to the PCSO, he was a Colonel in the Air Force for 27 years. Joe mentored leaders throughout his service in the military and has used his experience to help offenders complete their probation and improve their lives. What he loves most about his job are the people he works with and how committed they are to living their lives with integrity.
Outside of work, Joe spends a lot of time in his hometown of Enterprise, Alabama mentoring young people in the community. He also serves as a military advisor to Congressman Gus Bilirakis in his free time and is in the process of writing a book about his life.
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Pinellas County is still under a Face Covering Ordinance requiring residents to wear a face covering in most indoor places and maintain social distancing in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Per Pinellas County Ordinance 20-14, businesses must adhere to social distancing guidelines. Restaurants and bars must space tables six feet apart, require employees to wear masks inside and outside, prohibit crowding around bars, and enforce patrons to wear masks while not seated. Refusal to follow the ordinance may result in fines to the business.
All COVID-19 vaccine appointments through the State of Florida Department of Health in Pinellas are currently booked. Governor Ron DeSantis has prioritized the first round of vaccines for long-term care facilities, frontline health care workers, and seniors 65 and older. Please check the Pinellas County Government website for updates.
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"This bi-weekly newsletter is another step in my effort to give interested residents the most up-to-date information about services and programs here, at the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.
I value your feedback and look forward to continuing our dialogue about public safety."
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Sheriff's Administration Building
10750 Ulmerton Road
Largo, FL 33778
North District Station
2496 Bayshore Boulevard
Dunedin, FL 34698
For Non-Emergencies
(727) 582-6200
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Forensic Science Specialist
Under general supervision of the Assistant Forensic Science Shift Supervisor, or designee, performs technical work of average to advanced difficulty in criminal identification matters,
photography,
processing for latent fingerprints, collection and preservation of evidence. Duties are accomplished with a degree of independence and at a level of responsibility where
the member must exercise good judgment and initiative in the performance of
assigned duties. A variety of clerical and equipment maintenance tasks are performed in
connection with the position.
A member in this job classification spends at least 65 percent of their time performing duties that involve the collection,
examination, documentation, collection, preservation, preparation or analysis of human tissues or fluids or physical evidence having potential biological, chemical
or radiological hazard or contamination, or uses chemicals, processes, or materials that may
have carcinogenic or health-damaging properties in the analysis of such evidence.
Qualifications:
--Graduation from an accredited college or university with an associate's degree in
forensic sciences, a forensic science field, or closely related degree, or certificate in the forensic science field.
--One year experience in the forensic science field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
--Successfully completes the forensics written examination.
--Knowledge of photography, fingerprint development, evidence handling, and report
writing preferred.
--Must possess a valid Florida driver's license.
Essential Functions & Responsibilities:
--Takes photographs of crime scenes and suspects; photographs scenes of accidents;
takes casts of shoe prints, tire marks, and other impressions as directed.
--Photographs, handles, and fingerprints deceased bodies at crime scenes and after
autopsies.
--Identifies, collects, and preserves all matters of evidence as directed or released to
his/her custody.
--Prepares evidence for submission to laboratories.
--Processes crime scenes and related evidence for latent fingerprints for use in criminal
proceedings.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
--Knowledge of methods used in locating, collecting, and preserving physical evidence and the use of such evidence in establishing guilt or innocence.
--Knowledge of and competency in fingerprinting and modern latent print processing
techniques and procedures.
--Knowledge of and competency in police photography.
For more information about the Forensic Science Specialist, click here.
To apply or view other PCSO job openings and internships, visit our
page on our website.
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