The Dfuse programme

The content of the Dfuse programme was initially tested in a pilot carried out on behalf of Dfuse by the Metropolitan Police Officer Safety Training Unit at Hendon Police College and follows the model used by the Metropolitan Police in the training provided to new police recruits. The programme has been further piloted with participants from diverse backgrounds facing challenging and antisocial behaviour in a range of work related and community situations.

The training is in three sections:

Module 1: Situational Risk Awareness

We all weigh up the potential dangers in a situation automatically but often miss cues that seem obvious once they are pointed out. The course provides a systematic approach to gathering information and assessing risk, better situational awareness and an understanding of the danger cues displayed by individuals during a confrontation. The session looks at various tactical options for responding to a range of situations and the risks associated with each.

The aim is to improve our ability to identify and therefore avoid potential risks and to assess what response would be most appropriate. This part of the course also explains the legal powers citizens have and the law on self defense.

Module 2: Communication & Conflict Resolution skills

In any face to face communication the words we use account for only a part of the ‘total communication package’. Equally significant is the tone and way we speak as well as the non verbal element, i.e. our body language, where we stand and how we present ourselves. People understand words, gestures and ‘attitude’ differently in any situation, but particularly in a highly charged situation, the chances of misinterpretation are enormous. When conveying feelings and attitude research has suggested that as little as 7% of the communication is conveyed by the words we use, 38% is our tone of voice and as much as 55% our body language. (Mehrabian & Weiner 1967). This part of the course provides information on techniques and skills which can be used to de-escalate potentially confrontational situations and resolve conflict:

  • By using active listening skills to establish rapport
  • By being aware of body language cues
  • By learning to assert a physical presence and portray a confident image

Module 3: Personal Protection Skills – Including basic and advanced self defense techniques

This part of the course is to give people basic skills and techniques that can be used to avoid an aggressor or deflect and defend against violent behaviour should they find themselves in a position to have to defend themselves. The skills taught in this part of the course reflect the law around self defense and aim to give individuals the confidence that they know what to do, and how to get themselves out, if the situation were to turn nasty. By learning a number of basic spatial awareness and self defense techniques the aim is both to give individuals the confidence to portray a positive confident image should they make the decision to intervene and by demonstrating to any potential assailant they are capable and know what they are doing, to deter potential aggression and defend themselves if need be.

By learning a number of basic spatial awareness and self defence techniques the aim is both to give individuals the confidence to portray a positive confident image should they make the decision to intervene and by demonstrating to any potential assailant they are confident and know what they are doing, to deter potential aggression.

Case studies, scenarios and role plays

For each module case studies and scenarios are prepared which can relate specifically to the situations faced by each group:

  • Around situational risk awareness
  • Around communication
  • Around dealing with confrontation
  • Around avoiding aggression and violence

At the end of each module participants role play a number of scenarios which enable them to put into practice the awareness and skills they have learned and to explore and develop responses to the type of situations they might face in the workplace and in their communities.

The Dfuse Course

The course entails a blend of classroom based presentations and facilitated discussions, physical skills instruction and scenario/role playing sessions tailored to fit individual and group needs. The Dfuse team works closely with the organization or community group commissioning the programme to design a course that specifically addresses their individual work related or community needs. Each of the modules can be commissioned separately and can be adapted to cover in greater depth those areas of particular concern to the group. The programme is provided by approved trainers with experience in training citizens in personal and community safety.

Course Scheduling

The length of the course will depend on the particular requirements of the commissioning organization and the programme can be delivered flexibly, for example over a number of days, in the evenings or at the weekend. The standard community course is a 10 hour programme covering all three modules and can be delivered over a day and a half , over 3 - 5 evenings or a weekend.