ESCALATION - A PEOPLE'S GAME OF POWER

• NCJ Number: 68715
• Author(s): B BLUM; A COHEN; G CORMICK; F HOBBY; M KOHN
• Editor(s): J LAVE, M SIMOKAITIS
• Date Published: Unknown
• Length: 35 pages
• Corporate Author: Washington University
• Sale Source: Washington University
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: COMMUNITY CRISIS PAMPHLET SERIES

Annotation

A SIMULATION AND ROLE-PLAYING GAME, DEVISED FOR TRAINING PURPOSES, IS DESCRIBED AND CONCEPTUALIZED AS TEACHING THE DISPUTING PARTIES IN A POLICE-COMMUNITY CONFLICT SITUATION HOW TO PREVENT AN ESCALATION OF VIOLENCE.

Abstract

DESIGNED BY A PRIVATE COMMUNITY ACTION GROUP AND INTENDED FOR CITIZEN GROUPS ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE THEIR POLICE DEPARTMENT, AS WELL AS STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY ACTIVISTS WHO COME INTO CONTACT WITH POLICE AS A RESULT OF PROTEST OR OTHER CONFRONTATION TACTICS, THIS GAME IS ALSO SAID TO BE USEFUL FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL FOR TRAINING PROGRAMS AND FOR SETTING DEPARTMENT POLICIES. THIS GAME USES ROLE PLAYING AND A SAMPLE SCENARIO, INVOLVING AN OCCURRENCE IN WHICH THE POLICE ARE PORTRAYED AS USING EXCESSIVE FORCE AND SHOOTING THE WRONG MAN, WITH COMPLEX INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO DEVELOP STRATEGIES TO ENFORCE COMMUNITY DEMANDS ON THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WITHOUT RESORTING TO VIOLENT ESCALATION. A LIST OF MATERIALS FOR THIS PEOPLE'S POWER GAME (IN WHICH THE PRINCIPAL PLAYERS ARE POLICE OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF THE BLACK COMMUNITY ALLEGEDLY VICTIMIZED BY THE POLICE) INCLUDE THE SCENARIO, DEMAND LIST, TALLY SHEET, ACTION CARDS, ESCALATION CARDS, CONFLICT RESOLUTION CARDS, AND BARGAINING SHEETS. THE GAME IS ASSUMED TO BE COMPLETED WHEN ALL THE COMMUNITY'S DEMANDS HAVE BEEN EITHER WON, LOST, OR COMPROMISED.