Former FBI expert lectures in PNC training
The Police Negotiations Cadre (PNC) conducted its Quarterly Training of 2011 at the Civil Aid Service Headquarters on October 24. According to PNC's Chief Training Officer, Superintendent (SP) Kenneth Cheung, the training aimed at equipping PNC members with the latest negotiation knowledge and strengthening their ability to handle crisis negotiations, which range from suicide intervention, barricaded subject and hostage to terrorism-related emergencies.
PNC members always have to work at height while handling cases of 'Person in Dangerous Position'. In order to boost PNC members' safety awareness whilst working at height, PNC invited Force Abseiling Cadre (FAC) to jointly conduct the related training. Officer Commanding PNC Superintendent Wong Kwong-hing is particularly thankful to Officer-in-Charge FAC Chief Inspector Wong Wai-shun and his team for offering a half-day 'Police work at height safety workshop' to PNC members. "We thank FAC for the comprehensive training they provided, including a detailed briefing on the Occupational Safety and Health aspects of working at height and four hands-on experience sessions. This training not only enhanced PNC members' safety awareness, but also increased our confidence to work at height."
Besides FAC, an overseas guest speaker, Mr Gary Noesner, former Chief Negotiator of FBI's Crisis Negotiation Unit, gave a half-day lecture on crisis negotiation. As a leading expert with over 30 years' solid experience, Mr Noesner related a variety of real hostage-taking incidents, including the Waco siege, that happened when he worked as an FBI hostage negotiator and shared his experiences and views with PNC members.
"Mr Noesner's experience and knowledge in crisis negotiation is priceless. By sharing with us the details of real hostage-taking incidents, he showed us the important skills of negotiation," said Woman Police Constable Chan Kat-lee after attending Mr Noesner's lecture. Agreeing with her view, another PNC member, Police Constable Chan Chi-wai, said: "Mr Noesner encouraged PNC members never stop learning. We gained a lot during an interactive discussion with him."
This is the first time the 14 newly recruited PNC members attended the Quarterly Training. One of the new members, Sergeant Leung Siu-cheung, said: "I found the Quarterly Training very practical, useful and informative. It enhanced my professionalism as a negotiator and strengthened the connection among the PNC members."
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Police Negotiator practises the use of safety gear at height