Psychological Aspects of Crisis Negotiation, Second Edition by Thomas Strentz

Author:Thomas Strentz [Strentz, Thomas]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, pdf
Publisher: CRC Press
Published: 2012-05-13T14:00:00+00:00

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Psychological Aspects of Crisis Negotiation, Second Edition

Figure 14.1 Negotiating face to face with a jumper requires a team effort. Note

the weapon and the protective hold of the secondary on the primary negotiator

to prevent the jumper from taking her down.

of the pages in this manual deal with some form of depression. Needless, to

say, this is a serious mental problem.

There are many types and causes of depression. Some people suffer from

a psychotic depression, like a Bipolar Disorder, while others may have a less

severe depression that may not be as long lasting or extreme.

Because bipolar hostage takers are discussed in Chapter 13, they will not

be included here. However, when one is dealing with a depressed and suicidal

person who cannot clearly articulate why he or she is depressed, the negotia-

tor should consider the possibility of a chemical imbalance, like a bipolar dis-

order, as the cause. This is an important and necessary distinction. Trying to

counsel a person who is chemically depressed will be as effective as ordering

a drunk to sober-up. The person with a chemical imbalance needs medica-

tion. Talking may help, but medication is the answer.

One way to differentiate between the two is typically, the “normally

depressed person” has suffered a personal crisis, loss, or serious stressor in

The Suicidal Hostage Holder

145

the last 24 hours. Remember, as set out in Appendix B, stress and crisis are

personal matters, what is a crisis or stressful for some may not affect another.

On the other hand, when the negotiator probes to learn the cause of the

depression, the “chemically depressed person,” will probably say things like,

“Everything in the whole world is shit. Shit, shit, shit.” When asked about

recent life events, crisis, or a loss that may have caused the current depression

and subsequent suicidal behavior, this person is typically unable to point to an

event like losing a job, a relationship gone bad, being passed over for or miss-

ing a promotion, or a recently diagnosed personal or family member illness.

Suicide by Police

This topic is addressed at length in the next chapter. However, some issues,

as they apply to and can be compared and contrasted with solo suicides are

discussed in this chapter on solo suicidal subjects.

This phenomenon is commonly called “suicide by cop” and has many

causes. Certainly, the closing of many mental hospitals without the imple-

mentation and development of the promised alternative care has made a sub-

stantial contribution. Once again, law enforcement must pick up the pieces

and deal with the consequences of poor public planning by our local, state,

and federal legislators.

Snakes with and without Venom

It is very important to separate solo suicidal subjects from those who are

engaged in suicide by cop. Although each of these individuals is engaged

in suicide, their methods are quite different. That is why two separate and

distinct chapters are used to discuss this behavior. To help understand the

difference, consider the analogy of encountering and trying to capture two

snakes. One snake is venomless. The other is poisonous.

The solo suicidal subject is the venomless snake. (See Figure 14.1.) The bite

of this snake wil require some medical attention and perhaps a tetanus shot.

The police officer who

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