ABSTRACT
The negotiator should never give anything without getting something in return, a hostage if possible, but an agreement for the perpetrator to remain calm and keep talking may be a reasonable trade in some situations. Negotiating with those involved in hostage or barricade incidents is a comparatively strategy developed by law enforcement agencies. In the context of barricade situations, the brainstorming can take place between the negotiator and his or her colleagues during time-outs from talking with the perpetrator of the incident. Beginning in the 1970s, law enforcement agencies realized that some situations could be resolved by negotiations, and guidelines gradually evolved for handling such situations. Perpetrators are often in a crisis state, and sometimes the negotiation team has to engage in crisis intervention with the perpetrator. Michael McMains and Wayman Mullins observed that negotiators should resist any desire to push for a quick resolution to the negotiations, even if their supervisors urge them to do so.
