Seminar Title
Hostage Negotiations for the First Officer on the Scene
Dates of Events
02/22/2027 through 02/23/2027
Last Updated: 08/06/2026
Instructor(s): Mark Lowther
Location: South Texas College Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence - 3901 S. Cage Blvd., Pharr, TX 78577
Hotel: Courtyard by Marriott McAllen Airport - 2131 South 10th St., McAllen, TX 78503
Course Registration Fee: $325
Instructor Bio
Mark Lowther
Mark Lowther – Law Enforcement Veteran & Crisis Negotiation Expert
Mark began his law enforcement career in 1988 after graduating from the Utah POST Academy shortly after completing his service in the United States Marine Corps. Over the course of his distinguished career, he has served in numerous assignments, including corrections deputy, patrol officer, school resource officer, detective, and supervisor.
Mark advanced through the ranks to lieutenant, serving as a patrol watch commander, precinct commander, and court security services commander. After retiring at the rank of lieutenant, he continued serving part-time in law enforcement, primarily conducting background investigations. Due to a shortage of experienced officers, Mark was later recruited back to full-time service, where he continues to serve today.
One of the most significant assignments of Mark’s career has been his work as a SWAT crisis and hostage negotiator. He is widely recognized and respected throughout the United States for his expertise in crisis and hostage negotiation, de-escalation techniques, and suicide intervention. Mark has traveled extensively to train negotiators across the country and internationally, including five training missions to Ukraine. He remains actively involved in crisis negotiation operations.
Throughout his career, Mark has received numerous awards and commendations, including the Medal of Merit and the Lifesaving Medal. He was also honored as Crisis Negotiator of the Year by the Utah Tactical Officers Association in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the field.
Mark Lowther – Law Enforcement Veteran & Crisis Negotiation Expert
Mark began his law enforcement career in 1988 after graduating from the Utah POST Academy shortly after completing his service in the United States Marine Corps. Over the course of his distinguished career, he has served in numerous assignments, including corrections deputy, patrol officer, school resource officer, detective, and supervisor.
Mark advanced through the ranks to lieutenant, serving as a patrol watch commander, precinct commander, and court security services commander. After retiring at the rank of lieutenant, he continued serving part-time in law enforcement, primarily conducting background investigations. Due to a shortage of experienced officers, Mark was later recruited back to full-time service, where he continues to serve today.
One of the most significant assignments of Mark’s career has been his work as a SWAT crisis and hostage negotiator. He is widely recognized and respected throughout the United States for his expertise in crisis and hostage negotiation, de-escalation techniques, and suicide intervention. Mark has traveled extensively to train negotiators across the country and internationally, including five training missions to Ukraine. He remains actively involved in crisis negotiation operations.
Throughout his career, Mark has received numerous awards and commendations, including the Medal of Merit and the Lifesaving Medal. He was also honored as Crisis Negotiator of the Year by the Utah Tactical Officers Association in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the field.
Course Objectives
Course Overview:
Hostage Negotiations for the First Officer on the Scene: What Every Officer and Supervisor Should Know When Responding to Hostage or Barricaded Subject Call
When lives are on the line, the first moments of a crisis can determine its outcome.
From suicidal individuals and barricaded subjects to active hostage-takers, first responders are often thrust into the most dangerous and emotionally charged situations in law enforcement. While dedicated crisis and hostage negotiation teams are eventually deployed, their arrival is rarely immediate—especially in rural areas or during large-scale events. In many cases, the responsibility of initial contact and scene stabilization falls squarely on the shoulders of patrol officers, corrections staff, school resource officers (SROs), dispatchers, and first-line supervisors.
This seminar is specifically designed to prepare the first officer on scene to manage critical incidents until specialized negotiators can take over. Led by a veteran law enforcement negotiator with decades of field experience, this course provides practical communication tools and proven strategies that can make the difference between escalation and resolution.
Who Should Attend:
· Patrol Officers
· Corrections Officers
· School Resource Officers (SROs)
· Dispatchers and Communication Personnel
· First-Line Supervisors and Field Sergeants
What You'll Learn: This training goes beyond theory, focusing on real-world tactics and decision-making under pressure. Attendees will learn how to:
· Stabilize volatile scenes involving suicidal individuals, barricaded gunmen, and potential hostage takers.
· Use effective verbal techniques to de-escalate tense situations in the critical first moments.
· Assess threats quickly and accurately, using behavioral cues and environmental indicators.
· Avoid common mistakes that can unintentionally escalate a crisis.
· Communicate with distressed individuals when time is limited and emotions are high.
· Understand the psychology of individuals in crisis and how it informs negotiation strategies.
Topics Covered:
· The Do’s and Don’ts of Crisis Communication
· How to Engage with Individuals in Crisis
· Responding Effectively to Demands and Deadlines
· Identifying High-Risk Indicators Early
· Initial Containment and Scene Control
· Transitioning to Negotiation Teams
When lives are on the line, the first moments of a crisis can determine its outcome.
From suicidal individuals and barricaded subjects to active hostage-takers, first responders are often thrust into the most dangerous and emotionally charged situations in law enforcement. While dedicated crisis and hostage negotiation teams are eventually deployed, their arrival is rarely immediate—especially in rural areas or during large-scale events. In many cases, the responsibility of initial contact and scene stabilization falls squarely on the shoulders of patrol officers, corrections staff, school resource officers (SROs), dispatchers, and first-line supervisors.
This seminar is specifically designed to prepare the first officer on scene to manage critical incidents until specialized negotiators can take over. Led by a veteran law enforcement negotiator with decades of field experience, this course provides practical communication tools and proven strategies that can make the difference between escalation and resolution.
Who Should Attend:
· Patrol Officers
· Corrections Officers
· School Resource Officers (SROs)
· Dispatchers and Communication Personnel
· First-Line Supervisors and Field Sergeants
What You'll Learn: This training goes beyond theory, focusing on real-world tactics and decision-making under pressure. Attendees will learn how to:
· Stabilize volatile scenes involving suicidal individuals, barricaded gunmen, and potential hostage takers.
· Use effective verbal techniques to de-escalate tense situations in the critical first moments.
· Assess threats quickly and accurately, using behavioral cues and environmental indicators.
· Avoid common mistakes that can unintentionally escalate a crisis.
· Communicate with distressed individuals when time is limited and emotions are high.
· Understand the psychology of individuals in crisis and how it informs negotiation strategies.
Topics Covered:
· The Do’s and Don’ts of Crisis Communication
· How to Engage with Individuals in Crisis
· Responding Effectively to Demands and Deadlines
· Identifying High-Risk Indicators Early
· Initial Containment and Scene Control
· Transitioning to Negotiation Teams