Workplace Violence
Personal Conduct to Minimize
Workplace Violence
For emergencies, call 911
The following suggestions are designed to assist in your daily interactions with de-
escalating potentially violent situations. If a person’s behavior escalates beyond a
reasonable level or they become physical - Disengage and immediately call 911.
DO:
Project calmness
Listen - Encourage dialogue
Project a relaxed and attentive
posture
Acknowledge feelings to indicate
you know they are upset
Establish ground rules if
unreasonable behavior persists
Calmly describe the consequences
of violent behavior
Use delaying tactics to give the
person time to calm down.
Point out choices and reassure
everything will be OK
Break big problems into small
choices
Accept criticism and ask clarifying
questions
Ask for recommendations and
repeat back what is said
DO NOT:
Accept demands from the actor
Physically contact the other person
Make sudden or threatening
movements
Challenge, belittle, threaten or dare
the individual.
Criticize or act impatient
Attempt to bargain
Try to make the situation seem less
serious than it is
Make false statements or promises
you cannot keep
Use complicated words or technical
de nitions
Take sides or agree with distortions
Get blocked from the exit
www.ci.bremerton.wa.us
andrew.oakley@ci.bremerton.wa.us
(360) 473-5231
1025 Burwell Street
Community Resource Unit
Bremerton Police Department
Bremerton, WA 98337