This presentation will explore how crisis negotiations can become an indispensable asset to your entire agency, not just tactical teams. Use of force and eavesdropping laws will be discussed, as well as special relationships and how it affects tactical decision-making. Disengagement and re-engagement plans during barricaded incidents and modern negotiating techniques will also be addressed, including video chat and other technology-aided negotiations. Presenters will show body-cam videos of actual incidents to emphasize various techniques and strategies.

James Tacchini has been with the San Francisco Police Department since 2007 and has held the rank of Sergeant since 2017. In addition to his Negotiator and Instructor duties, he is currently assigned to the Officer Involved Shooting Team, administratively investigating officer involved shootings, in-custody deaths, and major use of force incidents. James helps students like you develop a working knowledge of current case laws, tactics, team planning, and outside the box thinking, which are core skills for any Crisis/Hostage Negotiator. James’ goal is to share his combined knowledge of current laws/case laws, tactics, and negotiation methods to provide negotiators like you the confidence and skills to be successful, not only in crisis situations, but in everyday encounters on the street.