NCJ Number
193576
Date Published
2001
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This article reports on the methodology and findings of a survey of crisis negotiators regarding their reactions during and after incidents in which a suspect committed suicide.
Abstract
A total of 500 questionnaires were mailed to randomly selected members of the California Association of Hostage Negotiators. Fifty-five negotiators returned usable questionnaires. All had been involved in the last 5 years in incidents in which the suspect committed suicide. The questionnaire solicited information on anxiety symptoms during the incident; formal support afterwards (debriefing by a mental health professional, peer support team member, or chaplain); informal support from coworkers, supervisors, administrators, and investigators; long-term effects of the incident in the form of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and work-related problems; specific coping mechanisms used to deal with the feelings aroused by the incident; and current feelings about the incident. The crisis negotiators indicated the prevalence of PTSD symptoms and work-related problems after the suicide of a suspect; however, they minimized the seriousness and duration of these symptoms and problems, reported the use of positive coping methods to deal with their distress, and claimed that their feelings about the incident were readily resolved. Informal support from coworkers and supervisors was reportedly helpful. Formal support in the form of debriefing by a professional or a member of a peer support team was appreciated by negotiators and has some demonstrable benefits.