Richard Bistline, Ph.D.

Helping improve organizations via better performance, training, and leadership development practices within the public safety and hospitality communities.

[Richard Bistline, Ph.D. @PDTrainer]

I support @NextCityOrg's independent journalism for stronger cities and so should you. Become a member today. https://t.co/GurJeyL4u8

[Richard Bistline, Ph.D. @PDTrainer]

New research: de-escalation training improves communication — but doesn't reduce use of force on its own.

Which programs work? The ones that shift how police officers think about resolving situations entirely.

How does this apply to hospitality security? It starts internally:

→ Self-awareness before you approach
→ Self-control during the interaction
→ Alternatives preferred over the use of force

We control our part of the incident and our response to others. That's where de-escalation really begins.

https://t.co/u1Va08rfwl

#HospitalitySecurity #DeEscalation

[Richard Bistline, Ph.D. @PDTrainer]

We couldn’t agree more @CouncilmanYitzy. A safer nightlife starts with well-trained, accountable security professionals.

Nightlife Security Consultants has spent over 25 years helping venues and cities nationwide raise the standard of hospitality security.

We support efforts that make Baltimore’s nightlife safe and thriving.

@NightlifeSec

#NightlifeSafety #HospitalitySecurity #Accountability #baltimore

[Isaac Yitzy Schleifer @CouncilmanYitzy]

CC: @BaltimorePolice @BaltimoreSAO both Bouncers/Security guards need to be held accountable.

[Richard Bistline, Ph.D. @PDTrainer]

June is National Gun Violence Awareness Month.

Sadly, data from the Gun Violence Archive (GVA) shows that in the first six months of 2025, bars, clubs, and nightlife venues across the country have seen repeated shootings, injuries, and deaths.

This isn’t just a government or policing issue - it’s a PEOPLE issue.

Working with security and hospitality teams nationwide, I know we don’t solve violence with just more force. We solve it through improved situational awareness by helping staff and management teams become more aware of people’s potential for harm ☠️ and (more importantly) their capacity for connection 🤝 .

We need to train for both.

It starts with a few simple steps:

✅ Security teams that lead with customer service
✅ Train staff to intervene early
✅ Ownership that focuses on safety/risk management
✅ Teams who understand intoxication, de-escalation, and response to active threats

Hospitality venues should be places we go to celebrate and have fun; they should not be scenes of tragedy. When we recognize the early warning signs of conflict or escalation, we give ourselves (and our teams) the chance to step in before violence erupts.

That’s how lives are saved. 🛟
Not with luck. 🍀
But with preparation, awareness, and action. 🎬

[Versaterm @VersatermInc]

We're hosting a panel at #RISE25 on how case management solutions support the shift from individual #treatmentcourts to unified statewide systems. Versaterm experts & state-level administrators who led these transitions will share their experiences. See you there! #publicsafety

[Adam Grant @AdamMGrant]

The most underrated career skill is the ability to receive tough love.

Acquiring knowledge is easy. Obtaining constructive criticism is hard. If you can't handle the truth, people stop telling you the truth.

The people who grow the most are the ones who take feedback the best.

[Richard Bistline, Ph.D. @PDTrainer]

Another senseless death at a Valley hospitality venue.

With the right risk mitigation strategy, these tragedies are predictable and preventable.

❌ The answer isn’t more regulation.
✅ The answer is better training.

Success starts with going beyond basic responsible alcohol service training and deploying more:

✅ Hospitality conflict resolution
✅ Positive-outcome mindset
✅ Scenario-based hospitality training

#NightlifeSafety #HospitalityTraining #RiskMitigation @BouncerCoach @NightlifeSec @azfamily

[azfamily 3TV CBS 5 @azfamily]

1 killed, 1 injured in overnight shooting at Peoria sports bar https://t.co/c49gKrYL9K

[azfamily 3TV CBS 5 @azfamily]

1 killed, 1 injured in overnight shooting at Peoria sports bar https://t.co/c49gKrYL9K

[Robert C. Smith @BouncerCoach]

Our #AUSTIN bar & club security training session last week was a huge success. A big thank you to @ATXMusicOffice Brain Block, Austin PD Cmdr. Smith and Lt. Juusola for the trust. We'll be back in #Austin soon! #bouncercoach #bouncerexpert #nightlifesecurity #bouncertraining.

[Robert C. Smith @BouncerCoach]

𝑨𝑼𝑺𝑻𝑰𝑵 𝑺𝑬𝑪𝑼𝑹𝑰𝑻𝒀 𝑻𝑹𝑨𝑰𝑵𝑰𝑵𝑮... In 6 days we'll be offering a no cost, 5-hour training for any bar/club security/management employee.
Monday, June 17, 1pm to 6pm, #VulcanGasCompany. Seats are filling, register now... https://t.co/l3udqKweK0

[Richard Bistline, Ph.D. @PDTrainer]

@ShepJoel #bestdayever @ShepJoel Thanks for this amazing series...

[Joel Shepherd Author @ShepJoel]

My take; much mental health disorder comes from your life being at a fork in the road, and not knowing which to take. In a war, there's no fork, just an obvious, clear-lit path. Modern society overloads our brains with too much choice. War simplifies things.

[Richard Bistline, Ph.D. @PDTrainer]

I love Christine Porath's research outcomes in the management space highlighted in this talk. Being civil these days seems like a lost "art," and her research sheds light on the negative impacts and the cost of incivility to both people and organizations.…https://t.co/UicKAJEooR

[Richard Bistline, Ph.D. @PDTrainer]

Unfortunately, using fear as a management strategy may mean that this type of leader is afraid of something themselves - it manifests in their behavior and treatment of others. Likely, a need to be seen as a "strong leader," or "I am in charge, and I need…https://t.co/29MEgqup8C

[Richard Bistline, Ph.D. @PDTrainer]

Hope isn't a strategy or a plan... being prepared means considering the risks that exist in our operating environment and taking the appropriate steps to mitigate them. These threats are ever present, and keeping them top of mind doesn't make you a doomsd…https://t.co/R31sWgW0JP

[Richard Bistline, Ph.D. @PDTrainer]

If you are attending the Professionalizing Law Enforcement–Community Engagement Training (PLECET) National Conference in Atlanta this week, I would love to connect.

I will be speaking as part of a fantastic panel of experts in th…https://t.co/A9DE1zJa5f https://t.co/FuPvyeFNcv

[Robert C. Smith @BouncerCoach]

We will offer real and honest solutions to limit and stop active shooter incidents @sociablecity summit in 5 days. I am so excited to discuss training solutions.

#sociablecity #rhisummit #bouncerexpert #bouncercoach #nightlifesecurity

[Richard Bistline, Ph.D. @PDTrainer]

https://t.co/19E1xebUPP

[Richard Bistline, Ph.D. @PDTrainer]

If any police agencies out there are struggling to hire and retain their people (that's a rhetorical statement, of course), try focusing your recruiting efforts on the needs, challenges, hopes, and desires of others - in other words, look to hire folks fo…https://t.co/gSxIDqllYq