Press Release
Federation backs persuasive study
6 October 2007
The Met Federation is supporting a major new research project to discover the most effective techniques for verbally persuading difficult-to-control people, such as drunks, drug users and the mentally ill, to co-operate.
The research will be conducted mainly in London by the Force Science Research Centre, which is based in Minnesota, US. It will be led by the Centre’s head, Prof Bill Lewinski, whose ground-breaking investigation of human behaviour in firearms incidents was called on to exonerate the officers involved in the Harry Stanley shooting.
The Centre has been supported by the Federation on previous projects designed to enhance officer training.
Prof Lewinski explained: “The core question this study will explore is how you can best gain voluntary co-operation so that force does not become necessary.”
Among other things, the study will try to identify
- Specific behavioural clues to help officers discover easily what personality type they are dealing with
- How to read these clues faster
- The persuasion techniques which are most likely to suceed – and those most likely to fail – with the person the officer is dealing with.
- How clues and appropriate techniques may vary from one cultural or ethnic group to another
- The best training methods to ensure officers can master a range of techniques and apply them effectively in stressful street situations.
Added Prof Lewinski: “Cops aren’t going to need to become psychiatric diagnosticians to be good persuaders. I believe we can come up with simple ways they can quickly characterise the difficulty they are having with an individual, and then know how to overcome it.
“Today, we have many theories and techniques being taught and many methods of instruction. But we haven’t yet proved what’s best. Thousands of officers will be involved in this study.”
Spread your message to an audience that counts, with options available for our website, email bulletins and publications including The House Magazine.
