ACResolution Magazine - September 2016

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.