Feb. 28, 2024

Ernie Stevens: The Power of De-escalation in Law Enforcement | S4 E9

Join us for an engaging episode where we explore mental health and de-escalation with Ernest Stevens, author of the best-selling book "Mental Health and De-escalation: A Guide for Law Enforcement Professionals.”

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Responder Resilience

Join us for an engaging episode where we explore mental health and de-escalation with Ernest Stevens, author of the best-selling book "Mental Health and De-escalation: A Guide for Law Enforcement Professionals.” As a pivotal member of the San Antonio Police Department Mental Health Unit, Ernie brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table. Featured in the Emmy Award Winning HBO Documentary, "Ernie and Joe: Crisis Cops," Ernie is recognized as an expert in Crisis Intervention Training, having been showcased in over 27 publications.

We explore the challenges that law enforcement officers encounter daily when dealing with mental health crisis calls. Ernie shares insights from his time on the force, shedding light on the coping mechanisms and self-care practices he employed personally. Discover the importance of control, connection, and empathy in navigating crisis intervention situations. Don't miss this episode filled with expert advice for handling these critical moments with compassion and professionalism! 🌟🚔🧠

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Ernie StevensProfile Photo

Ernie Stevens

Crisis LEO | Author | Speaker | Subject of HBO Documentary

Ernest (Ernie) Stevens is a published author with a #1 selling book on Amazon titled: Mental Health and De-escalation: A Guide for Law Enforcement Professionals. Ernie was also a contributing author for, Police Mental Barricade.

Ernie was a police officer for 28 years, serving 26 of those years with the San Antonio Police Department where he was a founding member of the Mental Health Unit. Ernie has been featured on the Emmy Award Winning HBO Documentary, Ernie and Joe: Crisis Cops. He has also been featured in NBC’s documentary, A Different Kind of Force. Ernie was interviewed by ABC’s Nightline’s Byron Pitts and featured on officers trained to respond to mental illness calls. Ernie has been featured in over 30 publications and deemed an expert in Crisis Intervention Training.

He is a graduate of Wayland Baptist University and holds a B.S. degree in Criminal Justice. He is married to his wife Lisa who he attended school with since elementary school. He has two incredible children, Reed, and April. Ernie continues to assist communities build and program manage multidisciplinary response teams in his current position as deputy director for the Council of State Governments Justice Center.