First Responder Negotiation Training

• NCJ Number: 137876
• Journal: FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 61 Issue: 8 Dated: (August 1992) Pages: 1-4
• Author(s): G W Noesner; J T Dolan
• Date Published: 1992
• Length: 4 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

From their first day of training and throughout their careers, police officers are taught to take the initiative to resolve situations that threaten life or property, but immediate, aggressive response may not be an appropriate course of action in every situation.

Abstract

In a potentially explosive situation such as hostage-taking, most police departments dictate that the responding officer take no further action until additional resources arrive. Police officers are usually instructed to hold their positions, attempt to evacuate innocent civilians, and take action only to save lives. Nonetheless, the initial response of law enforcement during the early minutes of a hostage or barricade situation can be critical in determining the eventual out come. The first responder should contain and stabilize the incident and avoid any action that may escalate emotions during a confrontation's critical early phase. The first responder can play a positive role by engaging the subjects in conversation and turning their attention away from violent reactions. First response training should concentrate on improving verbal and communicative skills of police officers. Police departments should consider incorporating first response instruction into their basic recruit training curriculum. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) holds first response training courses throughout the country at no cost to participating police departments; police training coordinators in FBI field offices arrange these courses by request. First response training increases the likelihood that the first police officers on the scene of a hostage/barricade situation can defuse the incident and thus minimize injury and death. A case study of the implementation of first response training by the Memphis, Tennessee, Police Department is described. Guidelines for first response police officers are listed. 2 endnotes