Scenario Library

This page features scenarios that can be used by law enforcement training instructors, coordinators, or others to strengthen their de-escalation and crisis response training.

The following scenarios were adapted from publicly available training resources to support scenario-based skill practice in de-escalation and crisis response for law enforcement.

Browse All Scenarios

Use this interactive library to search and filter scenarios by difficulty level and core topic area.

Scenarios in this library presume that law enforcement officers serve as scenario participants. Scenarios do not include exact dialogue for role players but guide how they should respond and act. Difficulty levels were determined using the following definitions:

  • Beginner scenarios are relatively straightforward, with no weapons present. The scenario is typically resolved by the participant using verbal de-escalation skills with a single role player;
  • Intermediate scenarios can include role players with a weapon, or involve multiple role players, but are not overly complex relative to Advanced scenarios. There may be some escalators in the scenario that make it more challenging, or the objective is more complex than in a beginner scenario;
  • Advanced scenarios are more complex, with multiple role players that the training participant will need to interact with and manage, or a scenario that requires significant repositioning and/or ongoing escalations.

SCENARIOS

Married Couple Displaying Symptoms of Paranoid Schizophrenia Inside Apartment

Training Source: Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training

Distraught Person at a Public Park

Training Source: Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training

Agitated Person Showing Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder Inside Apartment

Training Source: Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training

Person with Bipolar Personality Disorder at Home

Training Source: Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training

Person with Paranoid Schizophrenia Outside a Convenience Store

Training Source: Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training

Person with Paranoid Schizophrenia in a Laundromat

Training Source: Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training

Person with Delusional Disorder at Home

Training Source: Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training

Person with Major Depression at a Bookstore

Training Source: Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training

Individual Experiencing Homelessness Who Has Schizophrenia

Training Source: Crisis Response and Intervention Training (CRIT)

Adult with Autism at a Playground

Training Source: Crisis Response and Intervention Training (CRIT)

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