Training Day: Law enforcement officials work on hostage techniques

"The key to negotiating is building a connection with a person."

Read about how the North Carolina Negotiator Network, a group of law enforcement officers from different agencies who provide education and interaction between crisis negotiators throughout the state came together recently for a training.

Experience is Not Expertise

10,000 hours. That is the amount frequently cited as the number of hours it requires to be an expert in something.
Is there a difference between an being experienced negotiator and an expert?  Check out this article to find out.

Police: Hey Kid, Stop Using Twitter During Standoff

Social media has increasingly become part of crisis and hostage situations.  The role social media ranges from messages being posted by the subject leading up to the incident, the subject and victims posting during the incident as well as the police, and finally the police sharing information post-incident. 

Unfortunately people also post live updates of incidents that can interfere with police operations.  What is also unfortunate, as this story shows, is people do not seem to realize the impact their tweets or status updates can.  

Saving Face: The Concept of "Mianzi" In China

Saving Face is important across cultures and is an important concept for police crisis and hostage negotiators to understand.  Check out this important (short video) from the U.S. Army shared by the United States Air Force Culture and Language Center (AFCLC) in regard to saving face, respect, and Chinese culture.

Should Governments Negotiate With Terrorists?

Jonathan Powell, the long-term Downing Street Chief of Staff, who played a central role in the peace talks, says it is essential to secure an open line of communication with terrorists. He suggested that western governments should consider entering talks with al-Qaeda and the Taliban by applying the tactics used successfully in the Northern Ireland peace deal.

In This Corner: What Do You Say After Hello?

 "The sincere and genuine demonstration

of your interest and understanding of the

other person's problem/point of view

is far more important than your ability

to provide a quick solution."   

-Gary Noesner  

Prezi Presentation: 10 Mistakes of Hostage & Crisis Negotiators

(Originally posted at www.NonverbalPhD.com) 

I recently gave a presentation at Columbia University Conference on 10 Mistakes Law Enforcement Hostage and Crisis Negotiators Have Made & How You Can Avoid Them.