JIBC - Justice Institute of British Columbia Crisis Intervention and De-escalation Questions and Answers

Question 1

An officer encounters an individual who is pacing, wringing their hands, and speaking rapidly.
According to the crisis development model, which staff response is most appropriate for this initial 'Anxiety' stage?

Accepted Answer

Use a supportive, non-judgemental, and empathetic approach to establish rapport.

Answer

Immediately tell the person to sit down and remain silent to establish control.

Answer

Ignore the behaviour as it is not yet threatening or disruptive.

Answer

Physically block the exit to prevent the individual from leaving the area.

Question 2

When attempting to verbally de-escalate a situation with an agitated individual, which of the following is the MOST crucial element to convey?

Accepted Answer

Empathy and a genuine willingness to listen.

Answer

A detailed explanation of the rules the individual is breaking.

Answer

The potential negative consequences if their behaviour continues.

Answer

Your own personal feelings and frustration about the situation.

Question 3

Which of the following non-verbal techniques is most likely to aid in de-escalating a potentially volatile situation?

Accepted Answer

Maintaining an open, non-threatening posture with hands visible.

Answer

Standing directly in front of the person with arms crossed to show authority.

Answer

Avoiding all eye contact to prevent being seen as a challenge.

Answer

Speaking in a loud, commanding voice to establish control.

Question 4

You are dealing with an individual who has become verbally defiant and is refusing to follow instructions. What is the most effective and respectful strategy for setting limits?

Accepted Answer

Offer clear, simple choices, stating the positive option first, followed by the consequence.

Answer

Engage in a power struggle to prove your authority.

Answer

Immediately threaten arrest if they do not comply instantly.

Answer

Ignore the verbal challenges and repeatedly shout the original command.

Question 5

After a crisis event has been resolved and the individual's behaviour has de-escalated, they enter the 'Tension Reduction' phase. What is the primary goal for staff during this stage?

Accepted Answer

Re-establishing therapeutic rapport and communication to debrief and plan for the future.

Answer

Questioning the individual to get them to admit fault for the incident.

Answer

Documenting the incident immediately without further interaction with the individual.

Answer

Releasing the individual as quickly as possible to end the interaction.

Question 6

In the context of crisis intervention and officer safety, 'proxemics' refers to the management of personal space. Which of the following actions best applies this concept?

Accepted Answer

Maintaining a safe distance (e.g., 1.5 to 3 metres) to allow for reaction time while respecting their space.

Answer

Getting as close as possible to the individual to build intimacy and trust.

Answer

Always insisting on having a physical barrier, like a desk, between you and the person.

Answer

Standing perfectly still to project an image of absolute confidence.

An officer encounters an individual who is pacing, wringing their hands, and speaking rapidly.According to the crisis development model, which staff response is most appropriate for this initial 'Anxiety' stage?

An officer encounters an individual who is pacing, wringing their hands, and speaking rapidly.
According to the crisis development model, which staff response is most appropriate for this initial 'Anxiety' stage?