Approximately 50-80% of all critical incidents involving barricaded suspects, and/or hostages, are related to domestic violence. Domestic violence-related incidents are considered by many negotiators as “one of the worst” cases to handle – because they can result in “the worst” potential outcomes. Of particular concern are the children who are also victims in these abusive relationships and are often directly involved in these crisis incidents.

This course is intended to provide the latest information regarding domestic violence to the crisis negotiators who are required to employ such information together with highly developed communication skills, in order to resolve these incidents as peacefully as possible. The course will provide the student the opportunity to consider strategies and themes which may be unique to domestic violence, and which may be particularly effective in related critical incidents. The course will emphasize a team approach as the optimum for operational effectiveness. The course assumes that the team’s common understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence-related situations will lead to greater coordination of effort in the field.