August 31-September 4, 2009 - Ft. Leonard Wood / St. Robert, Missouri

ABOUT THIS COURSE: This course will further enhance the knowledge and skills you acquired in MPC's Crisis Hostage Negotiations - Basic course, or its 40-hour equivalent. A more in-depth study of abnormal psychology, high element negotiations, and advanced communication techniques will be a primary focus during the course. After identifying and assessing your personal listening style, you will learn effective questioning techniques and appropriate responses based on the "clusters of five." You will learn how to say "no," how to show empathy and how to develop and apply a communication strategy during a negotiation. In a continued discussion of abnormal psychology, we will examine additional mental health disorders as they relate to crisis negotiation, including depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. We will examine the Victim Precipitated Homicide and behaviors meant to compel law enforcement to respond with deadly force. Situations that create unique challenges for law enforcement, such as jumpers from bridges, cell towers and overpasses, will be among the advanced concepts discussed. You will learn how to interpret a crisis and recognize signs that may indicate the immediacy of suicidal intent. And you will learn guidelines for working with rescue personnel at the scene. In regards to the hostages involved, we will show you how to interpret the behavior of hostages while in captivity and techniques you can use when dealing with them directly. The consideration of hostages when developing a deliberate strategy will be explored. Challenging, team-oriented, scenario-driven practical exercises are an integral part of the course and will allow you the opportunity to practice and refine your crisis negotiation skills.

PREREQUISITES: Students attending this course must be a sworn member of law enforcement or corrections, a non-law enforcement member of a crisis negotiation team, a mental health professional supporting law enforcement activities, or a member of the clergy supporting law enforcement activities. Students attending this course must have successfully completed a basic 40-hour crisis/hostage negotiation course. This course is not recommended for students with no previous negotiation training. Requests for exceptions must be submitted and approved by the course director.

SCOPE: The Crisis/Hostage Negotiation Course (Level II/Intermediate) is a practical course of instruction for assigned members of a crisis negotiation team. The Intermediate Course is the second in a series of three progressive courses and contains material dependent on knowledge of basic negotiation skills and terminology. The Intermediate Course is trained in accordance with guidelines established by the National Council of Negotiation Associations.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Students must participate in 26 hours of lecture, serve as a negotiation team member for 12 hours of practical exercise, achieve a passing score of 70 percent on a comprehensive written examination, and achieve a passing score on an evaluated practical exercise.

OBJECTIVE: Designed to prepare law enforcement personnel to mitigate threats involving barricaded subjects, suicidal subjects, hostage takers, and others presenting behaviors associated with victim precipitated homicide or suicide by cop. The course includes two real-time, challenging practical exercises that address course training objectives. 
     
OVERVIEW OF TOPICS:

• Victim Precipitated Homicide
• Effective Communication II - Active Listening
• Abnormal Psychology II
• Advanced Communication (Questions)
• Advanced Communication (Responses)
• High Elevation Negotiation Techniques
• Third Party Intermediaries and Interpreters
• The Hostage Experience 

EQUIPMENT:

There are no specific equipment requirements for this course

NOTE:

Students will receive comprehensive handout & reference materials.
     
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:

Ms. Deborah L. McMahon: Ms. McMahon is a retired Special Agent of the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division. Prior to her retirement, Ms. McMahon was an Instructor assigned to Operations and Investigations Division, Advanced Law Enforcement Training, U. S. Army Military Police School, Fort Leonard Wood, MO. Ms. McMahon instructed advanced law enforcement subjects to criminal investigators who were assigned to municipal, state, and federal law enforcement agencies from throughout the world. In addition to her instructional duties, Ms. McMahon developed specialized advanced law enforcement training programs.

Ms. McMahon currently trains Crisis/Hostage Negotiation for the Midwest Counterdrug Training Center, Johnston Iowa, The Institute of Police Technology and Management at the University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida, and for the Department of Defense.

In a variety of environments, Ms. McMahon has served as a member of a crisis response team, and has negotiated numerous hostage, barricade subjects and potential suicide incidents. In addition to her practical experience, Ms. McMahon has authored Crisis Response Plans, has planned, executed and supervised major crisis response training exercises, and has published numerous professional articles on a variety of law enforcement topics, including crisis negotiations and crisis negotiation training.

Some of Ms. McMahon's technical education and training includes: numerous Crisis and Hostage Negotiations courses, Countering Terrorism, Traffic Accident Investigation, Advanced Fraud Investigation, Protective Services, Child Abuse Prevention/Investigative Techniques, numerous advanced interview courses, gang training courses, and several Drug Enforcement Administration training courses. In addition to her technical training, Ms. McMahon has also attended more than twenty-six weeks of advanced leadership development and management. Ms. McMahon has earned Bachelors of Science degrees in both Criminal Justice and Psychology.

 
 REGISTRATION & LODGING

ENROLLMENT INFORMATION: Advance registration is required and you may download enrollment forms by clicking on the "Enrollment" link. Email, fax or call in your registration.

This course is limited to 25 participants and is first come, first serve. Tuition is due prior to the training periods.

This is a 40-hour Missouri POST approved course of instruction and participants will receive continuing education credit in the following areas: (Interpersonal: 8-hours; Technical Skill: 18-hours; Skill Development: 14-hours)

TUITION FEES: $599 per officer & payment is accepted via check, PO or credit card. For credit card payments, visit our "Tuition & Fees" section.

LODGING: We have secured a block of hotel rooms at a preferred rate at the Baymont Inn & Suites in St. Robert, Missouri. In order to secure the $65 rate, please call 573.336.5050 and ask for the "Midwest Police Consultants" block.

Reservations need to be made no later than two-weeks prior to the training period. Click here for the hotel's website.