Police Negotiations: A New Role for the Community Psychiatrist

This paper reviews the type of individual who might be involved in a hostage situation and police negotations. It singles out those clinical characteristics which are important in determining the management of the negotiations, and in doing so adds a plea for psychiatrists to become involved in an advisory role. By pointing out the need for psychiatrists and police to review some of the problems and determine a common approach before the situations arise, an additional characteristic is added to the role description of the community psychiatrist.