Seminar Title
Online-Crisis Communication/Negotiation for Emergency Dispatchers
Dates of Events
10/08/2026 through 10/08/2026
Last Updated: 09/09/2026
Instructor(s): Mark Lowther
Course Registration Fee: $200
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:
Date: October 8, 2026
Time: 10:00am - 2:00pm (Eastern Time)
A lot of emphases has been placed on training crisis/hostage negotiation for law enforcement. Often however the first true first responder to these incidents is the emergency 911 dispatcher. Dispatchers are often the very first contact in these highly emotionally charged situations. Whether it is a threatened suicide, barricaded gunman, or a hostage situation. Emergency dispatchers are often in direct communication with subjects and victims in some cases for extended periods of time before the call is transferred to trained negotiators.
This is a introductory course of instruction for dispatchers, dispatcher supervisors, dispatcher trainers and even dispatch trainees. This course is specifically designed for dispatchers. It is not a 40-hour basic negotiation course.
The course is designed to prepare dispatchers for crises involving barricaded subjects, suicidal subjects, hostage takers, and others presenting behaviors associated with suicide-by-cop. Dispatchers will also be trained to identify possible red flag high risk behaviors and statements the subject may make.
Effective communication skills such as Active Listening Skills (ALS), and the role of building rapport and influence as it relates to crisis intervention. Students will also learn about the crisis “fight or flight mindset” and how it often causes difficulty in effective communications.
Students will learn the importance listening, and not talking over the subject to gather, manage, and relay information during a crisis.
Often these incidents involve suicidal ideations and intent. Students will learn how to assess the immediacy of suicidal intent and apply suicide intervention techniques.
Training Objectives:
· Coordinate with first responders and negotiators during crisis call
· Understand and apply the “80% - 20% rule”
· Recognize high risk indicators of possible suicide by cop or extremists
· Understand intel information that is uniquely important for negotiators
· Apply Active Listening Skills
· Recognize imminent suicide risk statements, and apply suicide intervention techniques
· Considerations if dispatchers end up actually talking directly to the hostage
· Many 911 dispatch centers now have 911 text options so text negotiations will also be discussed.
· Recognizing expressive vs instrumental behavior and what it may indicate.
Group Viewing Encouraged: Pay 1 Registration Fee
·Multiple attendees can group view the training from one device only and each attendee will receive a certificate.
·ONLY the registered attendee will receive a link to join the training (Link will be sent 1-2 Days Prior to the Event)
Quiz & Certificates: Within 24 hours after the live broadcast the registered attendee will receive an email with:
·Quiz link that will need to be forwarded to each person in your group so they may print a certificate after completing the quiz. ·30 Days Access of the Recording (this link may be shared with with others in your department)
*** No Refunds After Class Link Has Been Sent***
Time: 10:00am - 2:00pm (Eastern Time)
A lot of emphases has been placed on training crisis/hostage negotiation for law enforcement. Often however the first true first responder to these incidents is the emergency 911 dispatcher. Dispatchers are often the very first contact in these highly emotionally charged situations. Whether it is a threatened suicide, barricaded gunman, or a hostage situation. Emergency dispatchers are often in direct communication with subjects and victims in some cases for extended periods of time before the call is transferred to trained negotiators.
This is a introductory course of instruction for dispatchers, dispatcher supervisors, dispatcher trainers and even dispatch trainees. This course is specifically designed for dispatchers. It is not a 40-hour basic negotiation course.
The course is designed to prepare dispatchers for crises involving barricaded subjects, suicidal subjects, hostage takers, and others presenting behaviors associated with suicide-by-cop. Dispatchers will also be trained to identify possible red flag high risk behaviors and statements the subject may make.
Effective communication skills such as Active Listening Skills (ALS), and the role of building rapport and influence as it relates to crisis intervention. Students will also learn about the crisis “fight or flight mindset” and how it often causes difficulty in effective communications.
Students will learn the importance listening, and not talking over the subject to gather, manage, and relay information during a crisis.
Often these incidents involve suicidal ideations and intent. Students will learn how to assess the immediacy of suicidal intent and apply suicide intervention techniques.
Training Objectives:
· Coordinate with first responders and negotiators during crisis call
· Understand and apply the “80% - 20% rule”
· Recognize high risk indicators of possible suicide by cop or extremists
· Understand intel information that is uniquely important for negotiators
· Apply Active Listening Skills
· Recognize imminent suicide risk statements, and apply suicide intervention techniques
· Considerations if dispatchers end up actually talking directly to the hostage
· Many 911 dispatch centers now have 911 text options so text negotiations will also be discussed.
· Recognizing expressive vs instrumental behavior and what it may indicate.
Group Viewing Encouraged: Pay 1 Registration Fee
·Multiple attendees can group view the training from one device only and each attendee will receive a certificate.
·ONLY the registered attendee will receive a link to join the training (Link will be sent 1-2 Days Prior to the Event)
Quiz & Certificates: Within 24 hours after the live broadcast the registered attendee will receive an email with:
·Quiz link that will need to be forwarded to each person in your group so they may print a certificate after completing the quiz. ·30 Days Access of the Recording (this link may be shared with with others in your department)
*** No Refunds After Class Link Has Been Sent***
