During the week of July 12-16, Prattville Police Department sent its three crisis negotiators (1 per shift) to an FBI Crisis Negotiation Class in Hoover, Alabama. The class instructor was FBI Special Agent Dan Girsch. Girsch is part of the FBI Crisis Negotiation Team in Northern Alabama. The class was held at the Hoover Police Department Operations Center.

Sgt. Skip Tallmage and Sgt. Ron Boles have been crisis negotiators for the Prattville Police Department since 2003. Sgt. Angela Allen became a new member of this team in February, 2010.

Sgt. Ray Boles, Sgt. Skip Tallmage, and Sgt. Angela Allen.

Officers, 34 in all, from Pell City Police Department, Hoover Police Department, U.S. Army (1 military supervisor from Guantanamo Bay), Tuscaloosa Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, Homewood Police Department, Ft. Payne Police Department, Gardendale Police Department, Birmingham Police Department, and Prattville Police Department were in attendance.

Our negotiators were instructed on topics vital to the success of their job:

• Fundamentals of crisis negotiation
• Dealing with crisis and suicide
• Tactical role of a negotiator (How to assist SWAT)
• Dealing with the media
• Legal issues
• How to negotiate with individuals with mental challenges/deficiencies
• Evaluating third party intermediaries (family, friends, etc.)

Once their classroom time was completed, our negotiators were put to the test during practical exercises held at Berry Middle School. Role players from Hoover Police Department and the FBI challenged their knowledge and skill set in many different scenarios. The FBI negotiation team evaluated and monitored all scenarios and provided constructive feedback to all being trained.

The City of Prattville sincerely hopes that these skills are never needed, however, the City is pleased to have three well-trained officers should this type of situation present itself.