Hostage Crisis Negotiations - Level III

This advanced course represents the final component of a three-course progressive curriculum offered by IPTM. It builds upon foundational and intermediate negotiation concepts to equip participants with advanced skills necessary for leading negotiation teams through complex and challenging situations.

The program focuses on enhancing negotiation expertise while providing team leaders the opportunity to develop and refine leadership competencies essential during intricate negotiations. Participants will examine the multifaceted responsibilities of team leaders, encompassing team development, scene management, team coordination, and collaboration with command and tactical personnel. The course incorporates practical methods for designing and executing comprehensive training programs for agency negotiation teams, including scenario creation and team announcement procedures.

Key learning areas include:

• Leveraging contemporary technology and communication platforms, including social media, in negotiation contexts
• Team leader functions covering development, scene management, team support, and coordination with responding agencies
• Post-traumatic stress disorder recognition and appropriate negotiator response strategies
• Negotiating with officers experiencing personal crises
• Advocacy and representation for negotiation teams
• Team training maintenance, documentation, and scenario development
• Media management and its implications for negotiations
• Incorporating non-officer resources such as third-party intermediaries, dispatch personnel, mental health professionals, clergy, and citizen academy participants
• Long-term incident management including impact assessment, reciprocity considerations, and resource allocation

A presentation from a special operations wounded warrior provides insight into trauma effects and response methodologies.

Eligibility: This course is restricted to sworn and non-sworn law enforcement personnel, including hostage negotiators, patrol officers, military investigators, corrections personnel, mental health professionals, and clergy supporting law enforcement. Prior completion of IPTM's 40-hour Level I and 40-hour Level II courses (or equivalents) is required. Participants must possess knowledge of team operations, team roles, intelligence development, and response protocols.

Course Details: 40 hours of instruction. Classes operate from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The course aligns with most state and federal crisis/hostage negotiator certification requirements and follows National Council of Negotiation Associations guidelines. Participants are encouraged to bring a laptop for classroom activities.

Upcoming Offerings:

September 21-25, 2026 and September 20-24, 2027, both held in Jacksonville, Florida at the Adam W. Herbert University Center, 12000 Alumni Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32224. Tuition: $895.00. Instructor: James McDonald.