Audio Transcript

Mollie Halpern: Selected FBI agents serve as the United States government’s only full-time hostage and crisis negotiators in both criminal and terrorist matters.

Shawn VanSlyke: We deploy to a variety of crisis situations, from international hostage takings involving U.S. citizens to complex hostage barricades and other potential mass casualty events here at home.

Halpern: Handling these types of volatile situations demands specialized training. More than 400 agents in the Bureau’s 56 field offices across the country are trained as crisis negotiators. They share their training with local and state law enforcement partners. Unit Chief Shawn VanSlyke says the training focuses on the principals behind crisis intervention…

VanSlyke: We have many strategies when dealing with individuals in crisis, including initially trying to lower their emotional state and increase their degree of rational thinking.

Halpern: Negotiators use their strategies to influence the subject’s decisions and offer them non-violent alternatives to resolve the situation.

VanSlyke: Our number one goal is to preserve the life of all involved.

Halpern: From FBI Headquarters, I’m Mollie Halpern with FBI, This Week.