Hostage Negotiations and Crisis Intervention, Phase I and II by PATC
Hostage Negotiations and Crisis Intervention, Phase I and II
Instructor: Brandon Pierpoint
Duration: 4.5 Days | Professional Development Hours: 40 PD hours
Cost: From $675.00
Overview
This comprehensive 40-hour training program equips law enforcement professionals with essential skills in hostage negotiation and crisis intervention. The course is structured with four full days of instruction running from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM local time, followed by a final day from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM local time. The remaining hours consist of tested assessments and practical applications.
Course Content
The curriculum begins with introductory sessions covering instructor and participant introductions, an overview of course materials, historical context, and suggested readings presented in lecture format.
Participants will gain comprehensive knowledge of required and suggested equipment for hostage and barricaded subject responses, including hostage communication devices, response vehicles, ballistic protection, tactical identification gear, fiber optic surveillance equipment, and department radio systems. This segment combines lecture and PowerPoint presentations.
The fundamentals of hostage negotiation cover theoretical concepts including incident classification, rationales for law enforcement negotiation strategies, emotional versus rational decision-making, incident management techniques, hostage-taker and hostage profiles, negotiator selection criteria, and time management principles.
Active listening instruction focuses on techniques for crisis communication, including restating and paraphrasing messages to confirm understanding. Mental health content addresses psychological dimensions of crisis negotiation, including recognition of irrational behavior, personality disorders, and mental health conditions commonly encountered in these situations.
Additional specialized topics include suicide intervention and risk assessment, situation board management and information control, Negotiations Operations Command (NOC) protocol and team structure, third-party intermediary utilization, the tactical negotiator role and interagency coordination, demand management strategies and negotiable versus non-negotiable demands, and stress management for all parties involved in crisis situations.
Students participate in hands-on activities including the "Bunches of 5" exercise, where participants develop preplanned responses and brainstorm anticipated concerns and demands to take back to their agencies.
Instructional Methods
Training delivery includes lectures, PowerPoint presentations, video content, scenario-based exercises, and practical applications throughout the week. Most segments incorporate a combination of these modalities to enhance learning and retention.
Required Preparation
Students complete evening homework assignments including case law review, analysis of current incidents, and scenario scripting. Daily classroom discussions cover case law and current incidents, with scenarios used throughout the training week for practical skill development. These assignments account for the additional hours beyond the classroom schedule.