QPP 21: Deescalation with Officer Angel Villaronga, Baltimore City Police Department

In November, 2017, Peter and Nick wrote this:

In Baltimore, Officer Angel Villaronga shows how it can be done, by talking a man armed with a knife into handing over the bladed weapon and surrendering peacefully. Peter is happy some good news is coming from his former department, for a change. Peter and Nick talk about this incident, and its potential implications.

Episode:

https://www.spreaker.com/episode/14091882

The story was that a Baltimore City Police Officer confronted a man with a knife, and … And nothing! The man put down the knife, the officer handcuffed him, and everyone went home (eventually).

On Episode 7 of the podcast, Peter and Nick were saying that this is something that happens hundreds of times every day, yet no one seems to give police credit for it. So the following week, Nick drove down to Baltimore and visited with Officer Villaronga, and Peter joined by phone. Listen as Officer Villaronga discusses the incident, Baltimore, policing, and people.

You can watch some of the encounter here and/or here. Many grateful thanks to Ciprián Ś. Asánte for editing and cleanup of the Villaronga audio.