NJ Transit expands conflict de-escalation training for front-line employees
New Jersey (NJ) Transit will expand its de-escalation training for front-line employees to include the curriculum from Rutgers’ National Transit Institute (NTI).
“This new de-escalation training demonstrates our commitment to our front-line employees and to their safety,” said NJ Transit President and CEO Kevin Corbett.
The NTI presented a “Train the Trainers” program on conflict de-escalation techniques for bus and rail operations and New Jersey Transit Police. These highly effective techniques will be incorporated into existing internal NJ Transit de-escalation training programs to create a set of best practices for use in real-world situations.
“One of our main missions as a police department is promoting the safety of our customers and crews, and this expansion of our de-escalation training fits squarely in that space,” said New Jersey Transit Police Chief Christopher Trucillo. “It is always preferable to have situations managed before it rises to the level of police involvement.”
“The best way to help employees at risk of on-the-job assaults is to help them prevent the assault in the first place,” said NJ Transit Employee Court Advocate Michael Rubin. “With this expanded training program our bus operators, conductors, police and other customer-facing employees will have additional tools at hand to de-escalate situations and protect themselves and their customers from possible assaults.”
All of NJ Transit’s employees who work with the public on buses, trains or as police officers receive training on how to manage difficult situations to minimize the possibility of violence. With the assistance of NTI, the trainings will be more robust and help to reduce assaults on bus operators, conductors, police and other personnel.
“The [Amalgamated Transit Union] is pleased that NJ Transit is utilizing these national resources to advance our common goal of reducing assaults on bus operators,” said Ray Greaves, Amalgamated Transit Union, NJ State Council chairman.
