**Class Description:**

This course provides an in-depth exploration of the Critical Decision-Making Model (CDM), emphasizing its foundational principles and practical applications within law enforcement. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of the five steps of the CDM and the significance of threat assessment, including the concept of dynamic risk. The course will highlight the benefits of utilizing the CDM in critical incidents and will feature a video case study illustrating how a police officer effectively applies the model in real-world scenarios.

Additionally, the training underscores the importance of the ICAT Training Guide, designed to enhance the safety and effectiveness of patrol officers when responding to critical incidents, particularly those involving individuals in behavioral crises who may be unarmed or armed with non-firearm weapons. Attendees will learn to identify behaviors associated with behavioral crises, recognize the distinction between criminal behavior and crisis-related behavior, and understand the signs indicating potential suicide-by-cop situations.

The curriculum also covers key communication skills essential for managing tense situations, including active listening techniques, non-verbal communication strategies, and verbal de-escalation skills. Participants will develop alternatives to common commands that may not yield compliance and will explore critical pre-response and response strategies for handling critical incidents. Concepts such as tactical pause, distance + cover = time, and tactical repositioning will be examined to enhance situational awareness and response effectiveness.

Through scenario-based training exercises, students will demonstrate their grasp of the ICAT training concepts and their ability to apply these skills in practical settings. Participants will also engage in after-action reviews to assess their performance and refine their approach to future incidents. The course further covers essential topics such as Hypervigilance, “Rope-a-Dope Syndrome,” and Aristotle’s Rhetorical Triangle, as well as Chief Dolan’s principles regarding verbal communication and police legitimacy.

By the end of the course, attendees will possess the knowledge and skills necessary to manage and resolve critical incidents effectively, ensuring better outcomes for both officers and the community they serve.