Suicidal incidents remain one of the most common deployments for crisis negotiation teams, yet many negotiators spend far more time training for high-risk tactical events than for the calls they encounter most often.

Staying Sharp is an advanced sustainment course designed for experienced crisis negotiators who want to maintain and strengthen their suicide intervention skills. Rather than teaching the basics, this course focuses on preventing skill drift, improving assessments, refining communication techniques, and reinforcing best practices through real-world case debriefs and practical discussion.

Participants will examine how negotiation skills degrade over time, identify common pitfalls experienced negotiators face, and leave with practical strategies to remain prepared for one of the most challenging and consequential calls for service.

Recognize factors that contribute to skill drift in suicide intervention; Improve suicide risk assessment throughout an incident; Refine communication strategies specific to suicidal subjects; Apply negotiation team tactics that support effective intervention; and Identify practical methods to sustain readiness between deployments.

Sergeant Michael Clyde began his career with the Iowa State Patrol in 2005 and was assigned to the Capitol Complex District. Michael was then promoted to Trooper II and assigned to the Executive Protection Unit. While on the EPU he provided worldwide protection for Iowa's First Family and visiting dignitaries. After a four-year term on the EPU he was assigned to patrol duties in Iowa's busiest district, District 1 Des Moines. While assigned to patrol duties Michael was tasked with additional responsibilities as an FTO, Technical Accident Investigator, Background Investigator, Technical Flight Officer, and Crisis Negotiator. In 2017 Trooper Clyde was promoted to Senior Trooper Pilot with the Iowa State Patrol Airwing where he served for two years. In 2021 Michael was promoted to Sergeant and currently serves as the Assistant District Commander for the Capitol Complex and Governors Security District. Sergeant Clyde is actively involved in the field of crisis negotiation and currently serves as the Area A Crisis Negotiation Team Leader. Sergeant Clyde has written and facilitated numerous training scenarios as well as facilitated Statewide training events. He has spoken and presented nationally on the topic of Rural and Roadside Negotiations. Sergeant Clyde serves on the Board of the Iowa Crisis Negotiators Association and is a member of the National Tactical Officers Association. Sergeant Clyde has a Bachelor of Science degree in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration from Western Illinois University.