This study represents one of the first empirical investigations of the efficacy of crisis (hostage) negotiation training. Forty-five special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) were assessed on a role-play test of crisis negotiation skill before and after completing the FBI's 2-week National Crisis Negotiation Course at the FBI Academy. This multiple-component, behaviorally based program focuses on the training of active list skills (e.g., paraphrasing, emotional labeling) and a number of other vital competencies requisite to successful diffusion and resolution of crisis situations. Results showed significant pre-post differences on nearly all active listening skills for course participants. Further, attempts to problem solve, often detrimental in early phases of crisis negotiation, decreased as related to training.
Bellack, A. S. (1983). Recurrent problems in the behavioral assessment of social skill. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 21, 29-41.
2.
Bellack, A. S., & Hersen, M. (Eds.). (1998). Behavioral assessment: A practical handbook. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
3.
Bolz, F., & Hershey, L. (1979). Hostage cop. New York: Rawson Wade.
4.
Botting, J. M., Lanceley, F. J., & Noesner, G. W. (1995). The FBI's Critical Incident Negotiation Team. FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, 64, 12-15.
5.
Cairns, R. B. (Ed.). (1979). The analysis of social interactions: Methods, issues, and illustrations. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
6.
Dolan, J. T., & Fuselier, G. D. (1989). Aguide for first responders to hostage situations. FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, 58, 14-21.
7.
Flood, J. J. (2003). A report of findings from the Hostage Barricade Database System (HOBAS). Quantico, VA: Crisis Negotiation Unit, Critical Incident Response Group, FBI Academy.
8.
Fuselier, G. D. (1981). A practical overview of hostage negotiations. FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, 50, 5-12.
9.
Greenstone, J. L. (1995). Hostage negotiations team training for small police departments. In M. I. Kurke & E. M. Scrivner (Eds.), Police psychology into the 21st century(pp. 23-48). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
10.
Hatcher, C., Mohandie, K., Turner, J., & Gelles, M. G. (1998). The role of the psychologist in crisis/hostage negotiations. Behavioral Sciences and the Law, 16, 455-472.
11.
Lanceley, F. J. (1999). On-scene guide for crisis negotiators. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
12.
McMains, M. J., & Mullins, W. C. (1996). Crisis negotiations: Managing critical incidents and hostage situations in law enforcement and corrections. Cincinnati, OH: Anderson.
13.
McMains, M. J., & Mullins, W. C. (2001). Crisis negotiations: Managing critical incidents and hostage situations in law enforcement and corrections(2nd ed.). Cincinnati, OH: Anderson.
14.
Noesner, G. W., & Dolan, J. T. (1992). First responder negotiation training. FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, 61, 101-104.
15.
Noesner, G. W., & Romano, S. J. (2002). A role play test of crisis (hostage) negotiation skill. Unpublished manuscript, Crisis Negotiation Unit, FBI Academy, Quantico, VA.
16.
Noesner, G. W., & Webster, M. (1997). Crisis negotiations as crisis intervention. In Crisis negotiations: A compendium(pp. 3-19). Quantico, VA: Crisis Negotiation Unit, Critical Incident Response Group, FBI Academy.
17.
Regini, C. (2002). Crisis negotiation teams: Selection and training. FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, 71, 1-5.
18.
Rogan, R. G., Hammer, M. R., & Van Zandt, C. R. (1997). Dynamic processes of crisis negotiation: Theory, research, and practice. Westport, CT: Praeger.
19.
Romano, S. J., & McCann, M. F. (Eds.). (1997). Crisis negotiations: A compendium. Quantico, VA: Crisis Negotiation Unit, Critical Incident Response Group, FBI Academy.
20.
Schlossberg, H. (1979). Police response to hostage situation. In J. T. O'Brien & M. Marcus (Eds.), Crime and justice in America(pp. 87-102). New York: Pergamon Press.
21.
Sharp, A. G. (2000). The importance of role-playing in training. Law and Order: The Magazine for Police Management, 48, 97-100.
22.
Van Hasselt, V. B., Baker, M. T., Romano, S. J., Sellers, A. H., Noesner, G. W., & Smith, S. (2005). Development and validation of a role play test for assessing crisis (hostage) negotiation skills. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 32(3), 345-361.
23.
Vecchi, G. M. (2002). Hostage/barricade management: A hidden conflict within law enforcement. FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, 71, 1-13.
24.
Webster, M. (2003). I. Active listening and beyond: Compliance strategies in crisis negotiation. (Available from Centurion Consulting Services Ltd., 2301 Lacon Road, Denman Island, British Columbia)
