Westlake Police Train Officers on De-Escalation Tactics

Federal grant funds high-quality training to help officers defuse confrontations

Apr. 7, 2026 at 3:12pm

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An extreme close-up of a police officer's hand holding a pair of handcuffs, the metal reflecting a harsh, direct flash of light against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the need for de-escalation training to reduce the use of force.A police training program focuses on de-escalation tactics to defuse confrontations and build community trust.Westlake Today

The Westlake Police Department recently used a $41,000 federal grant to train 81 officers, including some from neighboring departments, on techniques to de-escalate potential confrontations. The training, provided by the Force Science Institute, focused on helping officers recognize the thoughts, emotions, and behaviors of people they encounter in order to achieve the best possible outcome.

Why it matters

Police departments across the country have faced increasing pressure in recent years to prioritize de-escalation tactics when dealing with combative individuals. This training aims to equip Westlake officers with the knowledge and skills to de-escalate tense situations, reduce the use of force, and improve outcomes for all involved.

The details

The two-day training session covered topics such as recognizing when people have 'contaminated thoughts' versus 'realistic thoughts,' and how to adjust tactics and communication to generate voluntary compliance. Participants also learned strategies for addressing the needs of people in mental health crises or with altered perceptions of reality. The training is approved by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission and provides continuing education credits for attending officers.

  • The first training session was held on March 25-26, 2026.
  • A second training session is planned for the fall of 2026.

The players

Kevin Bielozer

Westlake Police Chief

Gerald Vogel

Westlake Police Captain

Van Kliem

Chief Consulting and Communications Officer at Force Science

Force Science

A research and training organization that studies human behavior and performance during high-stress, split-second police encounters

Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission

The body that certifies and trains all police officers in the state of Ohio

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What they’re saying

“We had 81 attendees. Several Westlake firefighters attended along with a number of officers in the region. It's very high-quality training.”

— Kevin Bielozer, Westlake Police Chief

“The first thing we want to teach is non-escalation, how to not make things worse or increase anxiety where you can avoid it. We want them (police officers) to increase their chances of generating voluntary compliance, and where force is reasonable, we want to reduce the frequency and intensity of that force. That's by setting conditions early that integrate tactics and communication.”

— Van Kliem, Chief Consulting and Communications Officer at Force Science

What’s next

A second training session is planned for this fall, Bielozer said.

The takeaway

This training program highlights Westlake's proactive approach to equipping its officers with the latest de-escalation techniques. By prioritizing communication, understanding human behavior, and reducing the need for force, the department aims to improve public safety and build stronger community trust.