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Stress and Trauma in Hostage Negotiation

Stress is like weather in our occupation – it’s always there and like weather, we prepare for it. Trauma is created by an extraordinary or sudden event and although unexpected, we can prepare by recognizing the possibility of occurrence and have a system in place to mitigate the impact.

Dr. Logan discusses stress and trauma from his role of psychologist and identifies factors that specifically impact negotiators. He weaves the story of his first hostage negotiation as a young police officer into the presentation and shares his own trauma as the hostage was killed on the other side of the door.

Recognizing the effects of trauma personally and professionally he is able to point out some of the flaws in our thinking and in the “scoreboard mentality” that holds us captive.

  • Topics covered include:

  • Perception

  • Locus of Control

  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

  • Secondary Trauma

  • Vulnerability & Mitigating Factors

  • Loss of Life Negotiations

  • Scoreboard Mentality

  • Thriving vs. Coping

”Negotiations failed and…”

NO, negotiations didn’t fail – the subject made a choice! The way we live with HIS choice is our decision.

Dr. Matt Logan has worked on both sides of the fence over the past 28 yrs. A former Police Officer and Correctional Psychologist, he was the first Operational Psychologist in the RCMP Major Crime’s Behavioural Science Group. He is a consultant to investigators and specialized units (i.e. Interview Team, Crisis Negotiators, Undercover Unit, and Sexual Crime Squads).

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