Hundreds of officers compete in mock-hostage event
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Hundreds of officers from across the country were in San Marcos this week to show off their hostage negotiation skills during the 23rd annual Crisis Negotiation Competition.
Texas State University hosted more than 200 officers for the three-day event. The first day was focused on classroom training, but Wednesday and Thursday was about putting the skills to practice in a mock-hostage situation.
"This gives our guys an opportunity to practice both talking and listening to people, as well as with our equipment,” Charles Rohre with the Austin Police Department said. “How we deal with the whole concept of working with both tactical teams as well as suspects."
Organizers say the training focuses on patience and active listening. They say the goal of a negotiation is for everyone to come out unharmed.