Crisis negotiation: strategies and best practices

Crisis Negotiation

Though Bradley and Susan's situation may seem like a hostage situation, it can be characterized as a non-hostage incident. In a hostage incident, the individual will hold an individual or several individuals against their will in order to obtain a specific goal. These types of situations are carefully calculated and planned. Bradley on the other hand is acting out in an unbalanced and emotional way. As the negotiator enters the situation, Bradley has no real direction to go with his actions and he is acting in a reckless and self-destructing manner.

Bradley is in the alarm stage of his crisis. In this stage, Bradley's emotions are running high, he's doing without thinking (for any rhyme or reason) and he is extremely dangerous at this time. Bradley is also very aggressive during this time. He is making threats towards his wife, who he believes is cheating on him with her professor and is consequently making threats to the lives of all hostages in the room.

The potential for Bradley to murder the others as well as kill himself is very strong at this point. Bradley cannot be reasoned with at this time. The negotiator must first gain the trust of Bradley by demonstrating an understanding and empathy for Bradley's situation. The negotiator at this time should be non-threatening and should present the concept that he or she is simply listening and understanding Bradley's problems.

The only instrumental demand Bradley makes in part 2 is the demand that he will not go to jail. Considering his military history and his state of mind, this demand may not be out of reach, however, when he asks for food and whiskey, this is expressive to the state of mind he's entered into. In the beginning Bradley was fearless and out of control. Now that he is regaining control over his actions, he is beginning to question the wisdom behind what he's done as well as wondering what type of trouble he's gotten himself into. He says that he has no real interest in hurting anyone, but still refuses to let anyone go unless he receives his list of demands. This buys him more time, however, he will likely hold on to the hostages that matter most to him (his wife and the professor). He could still turn to violence.

In this current stage, Bradley is near the end of the crisis stage, but is only starting to enter the resolution stage. The negotiator is beginning to get through to him and Bradley is starting to see reason as well as recognize the situation he's put himself into.

The demands should be met carefully. Bradley should be made to feel like his list of demands is being met, but there must be a good reason to present to Bradley for items that are not given to him. For example, the negotiator can't promise absolutely no jail time and to do so may set Bradley off again. Instead, the negotiator should tell Bradley that he will do what he can to help him if he lets the hostages go. Use sound reasoning to explain to Bradley how the situation will get better if he allows the hostages to go free. Perhaps the negotiator can call in a favor on Bradley's behalf if Bradley shows a sign of good faith and allows the hostages to go free.

Providing Bradley alcohol would be against protocol, but the food and the promise of aiding Bradley is getting the help he needs rather than going to jail may be of help. Bradley is looking for help right now and not to get drunk. He also may be looking to make a demand that the negotiator will say no to in order reiterate the fact that Bradley does not trust the police.

If the alcohol is a necessity to Bradley, the negotiator may try to pull some strings and allow it. Against protocol or not, if lives are in danger, providing the alcohol to Bradley may save the lives of some individuals. On the other hand, if Bradley continues to get drunk, he may make a mistake he wouldn't normally make and someone may get hurt.

Issuing a tactical assault on the classroom can end badly, especially since Susan is pregnant. Bradley may very well lose control over his anger and distrust of the police and could intentionally hurt Susan and his unborn child, which could result in two fatalities. At this point Bradley is beginning to understand his situation and is looking for a way out. He knows he's made a mistake and wants the situation to be over with, but he is also desperate and could very well hurt someone out of desperation or the hope that he can get away. The most obvious choice is the professor or Susan, the two people he harbors the most anger towards.