STEPS–Structured Tactical Engagement Process

ABSTRACT Crisis negotiation is the preferred tactic when law enforcement personnel are confronted with a barricaded, or hostage, situation. Police organizations across North America spend considerable time and resources to ensure that officers are specially trained in negotiation techniques. However, given the complexity and variety of crises situations, it is unrealistic to think crisis negotiators can learn specific strategies for every situation. Instead, a good crisis negotiation model must be flexible enough that it applies to virtually any situation regardless of the context, subject state-of-mind, or other constraints. The present paper presents a new theory of crisis negotiation called the Structured Tactical Engagement Process (STEPS). This flexible model provides an overall framework for both understanding and influencing a barricaded subject's behavior in order to reach a peaceful resolution. The model is designed to be easily translated into practice and facilitate training of negotiators as well as on-site communication.