Hostage and Crisis Negotiator Coordinator/Tactical Advisor

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The Hostage and Crisis Negotiator Coordinator/ Tactical Advisor provides specialist support for incident commanders when there is an immediate risk of serious harm or death or in response to complex or prolonged incidents.

They advise incident commanders on options, the development of negotiating plans and their subsequent tactical delivery. They also manage the Negotiator Cell to ensure agreed plans are implemented.

• Work with the force NPCC negotiation lead to maintain a state of operational readiness for the deployment of trained negotiators.

• Manage the Negotiator Cell when required, to ensure the implementation of the negotiating plan agreed with the incident commander and to support the operational objectives.

• Carry out an assessment of risk, to advise on the tactical opportunities for negotiation, including the development and implementation of a negotiating plan and an assessment of the progress of negotiations to provide support for incident commanders.

• Provide support to silver and gold commanders where required or work with command negotiator advisers to support commanders in more complex or prolonged incidents.

• Support incident commanders in the decision to authorise the deployment of third-party intermediaries to talk to the subject. Consider all information to determine the likely impact on the subject. Deploy interpreters and other specialists when required.

• Review intelligence and information gathered when considering the deployment of third-party intermediaries.

• Work in collaboration with firearms tactical advisers in the development of tactical plans and in support of the firearm’s tactical commander.

• Comment on draft media statements before their release to reduce the risk of the content having an adverse effect on the negotiations.

Prior education and experience:

• Be an experienced negotiator

• Successfully completed (pass) the national negotiator coordinator course

Skills:

• Able to set out logical arguments clearly, adapting language and message to meet the needs of different people / audiences.

• Demonstrates mental agility, is flexible and quick thinking and can adapt and use a creative and novel approach.

• Consults, refers and listens to other team members and ensures that the incident commander is updated appropriately.

• Able to identify cause and effect and develop a course of action designed to target root causes and mitigate risks.

• Works well with other specialist teams (e.g. public order, firearms).

• Can support and manage those involved in incidents, including hostages, subjects and third-party interpreters.

• Able to develop and motivate a team and create strong engagement of individuals with their personal and team objectives and with force values, behaviours and strategic priorities.

• Able to plan ahead: to allocate work appropriately within the team and to identify and mitigate risks to delivery.

• Able to identify key stakeholders, understand potential roles and to take appropriate steps to understand their needs and concerns.

Hostage negotiators are required to submit their accreditation booklet for annual review and renewal by their force coordinator, which should take into account:

• Courses / training undertaken in the previous 12 months

• Number / nature of any deployments in a recognised negotiator role in the previous 12 months

• Any personal development undertaken in the previous 12 months, which can include:

• Role acting/critiquing on negotiator courses

• Supporting negotiator recruitment and/or assessment centres

• Co-ordinating / assisting on negotiator courses

• Sitting on any negotiator groups (locally, regionally or nationally)

• Attendance at regional conference

• Undertake any ‘bespoke’ work with partner agencies or others relevant to negotiating

• Partaking in any training exercises

• Shadowing or mentoring other negotiators

Complete all annual mandatory training

Actively participate in Knowledge Hub and associated negotiator training platforms local to force area, ensuring knowledge is up to date in legislation, policy, techniques, forms and is good practice

Maintain knowledge and understanding of the performance management process and ensure it is  implemented effectively when managing teams

Keep up to date with guidance and good practice on health, safety, and negotiator wellbeing

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• Hostage & Crisis Negotiator