The Self-Perceived Successful Hostage and Crisis Negotiator Profile: A Qualitative Assessment of Negotiator Competencies

Hostage and crisis negotiators serve a vital function within modern-day policing and can play a role in whether individuals live or die. As such, it is important for us to understand which police officers are more suited to this complex and challenging role, to ensure that the most effective negotiators are selected and trained. The current paper outlines the findings from interviews conducted with 15 negotiators from nine English police forces. Using a grounded theoretical approach, a conceptual model of the successful negotiator profile was developed comprising three primary and 19 secondary categories. The three primary categories consisted of: ‘Negotiator entry requirements’, ‘Negotiator attributes’, and ‘Negotiator skills’ which taken together, can be used to depict a profile of the successful hostage and crisis negotiator. The profile is discussed with reference to the potential implications for current hostage and crisis negotiator/police officer selection and training practices.