The Versailles Police Department (VPD) hosted an FBI-led training
session on crisis negotiations last week that brought law enforcement
and correctional officers from several other departments to Versailles.
One of those taking part in the 40-hour program was VPD Sgt. Tim Connor,
who called it one of the “tougher and more interesting” programs he’s
experienced.
“ … You had a lot of hands-on scenarios you had to do they … after they
taught you what do do,” said Connor, who’s been a police officer since
2005 and joined the VPD the following year.
Connor said the scenarios, which featured role players portraying, for
instance, someone who’d taken hostages in an animal experimentation lab
and a woman distraught over a Marine son who’d been killed in action,
involved teams – and teamwork.
“There were four of us on each team, and we didn’t get to work with our
own department, and one of the scenarios involved a guy who wanted to
jump off a bridge and I was what they call a coach … and I just helped
the primary negotiator. I gave him suggestions on what to ask; I passed
information on to the team leader, which is also one of the positions,”
Connor said.
Some of the training took place in a truck that was parked in the VPD
lot, while other portions took place inside the police station, Connor
said. In the truck were “drop phones,” which can be run to the subject
of the crisis team’s negotiations, he said. Trainees switched roles with
each scenario and Connor said he appreciated the hands-on approach the
classes offered, which work better for him than computer modules or
PowerPoint demonstrations.
Connor said three VPD officers took part in the crisis negotiation
training, which is one of the many types offered to allow them to
fulfill the 40 hours of continuing education required annually. The
program took place during increased public scrutiny of police behavior,
and Connor said the FBI sessions helped him become a better police officer.
“Before this, when I go in a situation, I would go in there as a police
officer talking to a subject or perpetrator,” Connor said. “After having
this class, I’ve learned if you go in there as a person … talking to
another person, you’re going to have better outcomes, hopefully. This
listening and the talking …”
Last Friday, Connor received his certificate of training completion from
the FBI, but said his biggest takeaway was the importance of mutual
respect between police, alleged perpetrators and the general public.
“Just to let everybody know that we’re people, too, and we make mistakes
and (to) give us some time. When we come (to a scene) as a police
officer, to let us back off a little bit and remember that we’re people,
too, talking to another person,” he said.