Negotiators respond not only to hostage incidents but also to barricades, suicides, domestic disputes, kidnappings, and other types of critical events where the application of communication skills and specialized training can positively influence outcomes. While police agencies recognize the importance of crisis negotiation, law enforcement administrators may not understand abilities and methods of negotiators and may interfere with or make decisions that impede the crisis team's efforts. To address these concerns, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has developed a block of instruction for prospective crisis decision makers, referred to as Negotiation Concepts for Commanders. Essential concepts of this instruction block are detailed with respect to critical incident types, nonhostage situations, decision making considerations, negotiation tactics, the structure of negotiation teams, and the tactical role of negotiators. The instruction block views negotiation as a process designed to establish rapport, influence the subject to avoid further violence and surrender peacefully, and ensure tactical containment of the situation. 9 endnotes and 2 photographs