channel. In that case, the negotiator wears a radio earpiece and
listens to radio transmissions so that they can receive support
and relevant intelligence in their earpiece. Even when approaching alone, the negotiator continues to be supported by the rest
of the communication team which is gathering intelligence and
keeping all parts of the public safety response informed on the
progress of the negotiation.
Part of that relevant intelligence may have to do with the
answers to the “Why here?” and “Why now?” questions. During high element incidents, the answer to the “Why here?”
question tells us about the subject’s preparation and decision-making, and often leads to information we can use during the
negotiation. Sometimes it is simply a location of opportunity,
but commonly a particular bridge or tower or tree was chosen for a special reason. Often the answer to the “Why now?”
question reveals the most recent trigger or relevant events
which led to the suicidal event.
COMMUNICATION METHODS
SHOULD BE THOUGHT-OUT
We emphasize with our officers and negotiators in all
cases, including high element cases, to choose for themselves what communication method is most appropriate
under the circumstances. Even though the scene may seem
to lend itself to a face-to-face negotiation, there can be great
value in negotiating by telephone instead. Even if it is safe
to approach the subject, in noisy environments telephone
contact also allows us to avoid yelling, which helps bring the
energy down in the incident. Also, if the officer calls the subject through dispatch, the dispatcher can monitor and record
the call and put out updates on the radio for the rest of the
responders. If the subject has called the dispatcher and is still
on the phone with the dispatcher when the police arrive, we
will likely conference the call to the officers on the scene to
allow for a smooth transition, including “transferring” to the
negotiator whatever positive influence the dispatcher has
earned.
INTELLIGENCE SHOULD
BE LEVERAGED
In The Art of War, Sun Tzu wrote “Build your opponent a
golden bridge to retreat across.” In negotiator terms we take
this to mean that when there are opposing interests (one person wants to die, the police want to help them live) we may be
able to find resolution by identifying an attractive, face-saving
option for them. For people who are in an elevated position and
able to see the scene around them, we try to paint a canvas
for them of what this positive outcome could be. If the person
relates that going to the hospital is a positive outcome (their
golden bridge), then we move the police cars out of view and
bring in an ambulance. In some cases we have even rolled out
a gurney to create a visual representation of the offer we are
making to them.
Identifying a person’s “golden bridge” often requires
information and intelligence gathering. For this reason, our
negotiation team response includes a minimum of five (and
ideally seven) negotiators. With the primary and coach tied
up in the negotiation, this leaves three negotiators to do police
records research, social media research, contact and interview
family, friends, co-workers and other relevant people, as well
as make potential third party recordings.
INVOLVEMENT OF THIRD PARTIES
SHOULD BE DONE CAREFULLY
It is common to learn of individuals who may have positive
or negative influence with the suicidal person. During high
element negotiations, there is particular concern that these
individuals may already be in view of the suicidal person or
may be able to get within view. We are very careful to guard
against this, because sometimes it is these very same people whom the subject wants as an audience when they jump.
Other times their presence can add additional stress on the
suicidal person.
To make use of a positive relationship, we will commonly
make audio recordings of these potentially influential people
and play those recordings at our discretion to the suicidal person. Sometimes these recordings are played as part of our
“building the golden bridge.” With an ambulance in view and a
promise from the negotiator that the person will be taken to the
hospital, we may choose to play an audio recording from a loved
one encouraging the person to walk to the ambulance and go
to the hospital.
WE MAY HAVE INFLUENCE,
BUT THE SUICIDAL PERSON HAS
CONTROL OVER THE OUTCOME
We are not always able to have a positive outcome, and we
train our officers to be aware of this unfortunate fact. We talk
to them about the “official witness” phenomenon in which
jumpers are simply waiting for the arrival of authorities before
they jump, so that their body will be quickly discovered and not
lost, or so that there will be someone there to tell the family or
friends that their death was not accidental. In these situations
we talk promote self-care and avoiding self-blame.
The answer to the “Why here?” question
tells us about the subject’s preparation and
decisionmaking, and often leads to information
we can use during the negotiation.