Two Sides of the Communicative Coin: Shared Skills of Peer Support and Hostage Negotiations Personnel

Presentation Description: This presentation will discuss how the expansion of police training related to de-escalation and crisis intervention response has helped to improve officers' skills and communications in the community. Specifically, as administrators of the Peer Support and the Hostage Negotiations Teams, presenters have learned that there are shared skills among these personnel that are crucial to their success. These skills include empathy, active listening, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and self-awareness. Though not everyone will meet these qualifications, it is essential that these skills are identified and enhanced. Presenters will share examples of techniques that can assist in selecting and training a peer team.

• Upon completion, participants will be able to understand the best practices in research and training related to de-escalation and crisis intervention within your department's peer support program as well as in the community.
• Upon completion, participants will be able to describe the five essential skills needed for an effective peer support team member.
• Upon completion, participants will be able to conduct techniques that can be used when assessing if an individual has the skills needed to be an effective peer support team member.