Local Police Department Wins Top Honors in Negotiation Competition

The ability to negotiate effectively is a useful tool for attorneys and other professionals.  Sometimes, however, good negotiation skills can mean the difference between life and death for everyone involved.  An Austin Metro-area police department has reportedly won first place in a recent law enforcement negotiation competition.  Earlier this month, negotiators from the Round Rock, Texas Police Department and SWAT team took top honors following the Texas State University Department of Criminal Justice’s 23rd Annual Competition and Seminar for Crisis Negotiations.  The seminar was held January 8-10th and offered nine-member teams from across the nation the opportunity to hone and utilize their hostage and other negotiation skills.  In 2012, the department won second place at the competition.  According to Round Rock SWAT team leader Ben Hall, competitions like this one teach law enforcement officers to use their communication skills effectively while under pressure and helps them to both understand and respond to stressful or dangerous situations.