Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Jack Cambria spent 34 years in the New York City Police Department and is the longest-serving commander of the Hostage Negotiation Team. From his early days on patrol in Brooklyn, to scaling bridges with the Emergency Services Unit, and on through the pivotal moments of leading alongside negotiators through some of the city’s toughest crises—including the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks—Jack Cambria shares firsthand stories and insights about what it takes to manage high-stakes negotiations and make life-saving decisions.
In this conversation, you’ll hear about the strategies and teamwork that define successful crisis negotiation, the emotional realities of working cases that don’t always end well, and the importance of learning from both victories and mistakes. Jack Cambria offers advice for aspiring negotiators, shares memorable incidents from his long career, and candidly addresses the lessons developed in the field over decades. Whether you’re in law enforcement, interested in negotiation tactics, or curious about the human side of policing, this episode promises to give you a rare glimpse behind the scenes with someone who helped shape the profession.
Be sure to Like Subscribe and Share this episode of The Crisis Cop Podcast on The 2GuysTalking Podcast Network via WhatCopsWatch.Com…
The Crisis Cop Podcast Podcast Links Bar:
Connect with The Host!
Subscribe to This Podcast Now!
This program is one of the many parts of The
Effort! Rate this podcast on Apple Podcasts. the Ultimate success for every podcaster is FEEDBACK!
Not an Apple Podcasts user? No problem! Be sure to cherck out any of the other many growing podcast directories online to find this and many other podcasts on The 2GuysTalking Podcast Network!
Housekeeping
— The Editor Corps – Make Your Podcast Soar: There’s only one question to ask: Why are YOU still editing your podcast? Reclaim the time you spend on editing (easily at least twice the time you spend on capturing the program) to make more great content by enlisting “The Editor Corps” who will “Make Your Podcast Soar!” http://EditorCorps.Com
— The Voice Farm: Fred Wilkerson, Mike’s Father that died in the first few days of 2018, always dreamed of a place that those interested in Voiceover could go to learn more about the industry and experience – without all the BS that goes with it. We build it four and a half years go and it continues to provide new voiceover artists and businesses looking for voiceover talent a place to go and secure great voiceover artists. http://VoiceFarmers.Com
Two Great Ways to Listen/Watch!
We are proud to provide you both a dedicated AUDIO and VIDEO presentation for this program!
To Listen Now: Hit the play button in the player on this page or hit the Subscribe button on your favorite Podcast Directory to instantly get these episodes when they release!
To Watch Now: Visit this program on YouTube, or hit the window located below to see the hosts, guests and light bulb moments that make this program special!
The Detailed Shownotes for This Episode of The Crisis Cop Podcast:
Looking for the detailed links, information and references used inside this episode? Read on below to find them all and remember to reach out to ask if there’s something else you’d like to see from this episode!
Timestamps for This Episode of The Crisis Cop Podcast:
00:00 “Emergency Service: Multifunctional Unit”
10:01 “Negotiation Training: Essentials and Growth”
11:12 “Recognizing Crisis Transition Triggers”
20:16 “Rescue on the Kosciuszko Bridge”
21:38 “Detective Questions and Marital Tension”
29:16 Cross Complaint Investigation Unfolds
34:00 “Snipers, Glass, and Strategy”
41:11 “Waco Siege: 52-Day Standoff”
46:12 “Hostage Team Ride-Along”
49:34 Sniper Team Supervision Guidelines
58:10 “Negotiations Require Policing Experience”
58:58 “Experienced Negotiators and Crisis Resolution”
01:07:10 “Evolution of Negotiation Protocols”
01:10:33 Negotiation Legacy and Advocacy
Questions Answered Inside This Episode of Cops and Robbers Talk:
- Career Pathways: What were the pivotal moments in Speaker A’s career that led him from emergency service to leading the Hostage Negotiation Team, and how did those experiences shape his approach to crisis negotiation?
- Mentorship & Learning: How did mentorship play a role in Speaker A’s professional growth, and what can we learn from his reflections on learning both from skilled negotiators and those who made mistakes?
- Team Dynamics: According to the episode, what is the importance of teamwork in crisis negotiation, and how does the role of a coach during face-to-face negotiations impact the outcome?
- Body Language & Communication: How do negotiators use non-verbal cues and body language during high-stakes, face-to-face negotiations, such as jumper scenarios? Why is this skill critical?
- Decision Making: The episode discusses the transition from negotiation to tactical intervention. What factors influence this critical decision, and what does Speaker A mean when he says the subject is often the “true incident commander”?
- Dealing with Failure: What strategies do crisis negotiation teams use to process and learn from incidents that do not resolve successfully, and how does this affect future operations?
- Inter-Agency Collaboration: How does the relationship between tactical teams and negotiation teams impact the resolution of crisis situations? What challenges and solutions are discussed regarding East Coast vs. West Coast models?
- Portrayal in Media: Speaker A shares his experiences consulting for TV and movies. What are some common misconceptions about crisis negotiation in media, and which portrayals does he find more realistic?
- Qualities of a Negotiator: What characteristics and life experiences does Speaker A believe are essential for a successful police negotiator? How does empathy influence crisis negotiation outcomes?
- Legacy and Impact: Reflecting on the episode, what does Speaker A hope his legacy in the field will be, and what advice does he offer to negotiators about the real impact their work can have on people’s lives?
Links from this Episode:
— Get All of Pat’s Books via Amazon Now!
– Crisis Cops: The Evolution of Crisis Negotiation in America
– Crisis Cop 2: More Stories from the Front Lines of Crisis Negotiation
– Calming the Chaos: My Life as a Crisis Negotiator in the St. Louis Area
- 2GuysTalking Podcast Network
- Link to the Network’s homepage to provide listeners with more background.
- 2GuysTalking Podcast Network
- Jack Cambria
Jack Cambria LinkedIn (For those interested in connecting with Gentleman Jack and learning more about his career) - New York City Police Department (NYPD) Hostage Negotiation Team
NYPD Official Site (Background on the department and its crisis negotiation efforts) - Emergency Service Unit (ESU)
NYPD ESU (Learn more about NYPD’s multifaceted tactical/rescue unit)
Influencers & Key Figures
- Gary Noesner
Gary Noesner’s Official Website (FBI Crisis Negotiator featured in the episode)
Stalling for Time (Book) - Icons of Influence Podcast
Icons of Influence Negotiation Series (Hosted by Andy Prisco, featuring Gary Noesner & Jack Cambria) - Captain Frank Bolz
Interview with Frank Bolz (Learn about HNT #1 and the origins of the NYPD Hostage Negotiation Team)
Training and Associations
- National Council of Negotiation Associations (NCNA)
NCNA Info (National guidelines and best practices for crisis negotiation teams) - BlueBaggers Project
BlueBaggersProject.com (Get involved in crisis negotiation training as a role player/voice actor) - Verbal De-escalation Course (General Info)
Verbal Judo Institute (Resource for verbal de-escalation training mentioned in context)
Case Studies & Related Incidents
- Dog Day Afternoon (Film)
Dog Day Afternoon on IMDb (Movie based on a true NY bank hostage situation) - Stockholm Syndrome (Film)
Stockholm (2018) Movie (Story behind the origin of “Stockholm Syndrome”) - Waco Siege
Waco Siege History (Background info on the 1993 event discussed) - Golden Gate Bridge – Kevin Briggs
Kevin Briggs “Guardian of the Golden Gate Bridge” (Story of the officer mentioned towards the episode’s end)
Podcast Network & Sponsors
- Two Guys Talking Podcast Network
Two Guys Talking (Production home of CrisisCop) - VoiceFarmers – Voiceover Services
VoiceFarmers.com (Sponsor resource for voiceover and on-hold messaging) - Perpetual Advertising – Podcast Sponsorship
Two Guys Talking Sponsors (Learn about sponsor opportunities for podcasts)
Be sure to Like, Subscribe & Share Everywhere!
==== Connect with Pat Doering – The Crisis Cop Today!
— Pat Doering on Facebook
— Pat Doering on LinkedIn
— Pat Doering on Instagram
— Crisis Cop on the Web
— Crisis Cop on YouTube
==== Help Us Tell People About 10+ Years of WhatCopsWatch.Com:
On the Web: https://whatcopswatch.com/
At Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast….
At Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2VV1HL9….
On Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b46….
On Facebook: / whatcopswatch
Calls to the Audience Inside this Episode:
— Did you know that it ALL STARTED with John & Al’s Sporting Goods? What was your favorite light bulb moment that YOU discovered in this episode? Tell us Your Perspective About This Episode Now!
Be an Advertiser/Sponsor for This Program!
Tell us what you think! It’s never too late to be an advertiser in this podcast, thanks to Perpetual Advertising! Contact CrisisCop.Com now and learn more about why podcasting allows your advertising dollar to live across millions of future listeners – FOREVER!
Tell Us What You Think About The Crisis Cop Podcast:
Tell us what you think and we’ll use your comments in a future ALL-FAN-INPUT Episode! Educating the public is what we’ve based all of our programming on and we’re eager to connect with others who are doing it! Know about another podcast , YouTuber or other media generator making a difference in the way of perspective when it comes to law enforcement? Tell us about them now and we’ll link to them and have them on a future episode of CrisisCop.Com!
The Host of this Program:
Pat Doering
Pat DoeringPat Doering began his career as a police officer in 1996 and has served as a Police Hostage Negotiator since 2004. He has received formal negotiation training from the FBI, the London Metropolitan Police (Scotland Yard), and the Negotiation Program at Harvard University. As a graduate of the FBI National Academy (Class 248), Pat continues to provide guidance, formal training, and leadership mentoring worldwide.
In 2024, Pat retired from his law enforcement career but remains dedicated to fostering the next generation of Crisis Negotiators. He conducts live, on-site training events and online workshops designed to sharpen the skills of those interested in crisis negotiation.
“My goal is to share the knowledge and experience I’ve gained throughout my career in high-stakes situations. My speeches will help you become a better communicator and listener. I am committed to teaching and training the future of crisis negotiations.”
— Pat Doering on Facebook
— Pat Doering on LinkedIn
— Pat Doering on Instagram
— Crisis Cop on the Web
— Crisis Cop on YouTube
The Guest Featured Inside this Program:
Jack Cambria:
Jack Cambria:ack Cambria is widely recognized as one of the most accomplished crisis and hostage negotiators in modern law enforcement. A retired New York City Police Department (NYPD) detective and commanding officer, Cambria built his career at the highest levels of crisis response, earning a reputation for calm authority, psychological insight, and an unwavering commitment to preserving life under extreme pressure.
Cambria spent more than three decades with the NYPD, where he rose to become the Commanding Officer of the Hostage Negotiation Team. In that role, he was responsible for overseeing negotiations in some of the most volatile and emotionally charged incidents in New York City, including hostage situations, barricaded suspects, and suicidal individuals. His work placed him at the intersection of psychology, tactical operations, and leadership, requiring split-second judgment and disciplined communication in situations where failure could be fatal.
Throughout his career, Cambria was directly involved in hundreds of critical incidents and supervised thousands more. He is particularly known for his leadership during high-profile events that demanded coordination across multiple agencies and specialties. His approach emphasized patience, empathy, and strategic dialogue, grounded in a deep understanding of human behavior under stress. These principles helped shape modern crisis negotiation practices and reinforced the NYPD’s reputation as a global leader in the field.
Following his retirement from active duty, Cambria transitioned his operational experience into education, consulting, and media. He has served as a technical advisor for film and television, most notably as a long-time consultant and recurring on-screen expert for the CBS series Blue Bloods. In this capacity, he has helped ensure authentic portrayals of law enforcement decision-making, command dynamics, and negotiation strategy, bridging the gap between real-world policing and popular culture.
Cambria is also a sought-after speaker and trainer, delivering presentations to law enforcement agencies, corporations, and academic institutions around the world. His talks focus on crisis leadership, communication under pressure, risk assessment, and ethical decision-making. Drawing from real cases, he offers practical insights into how trust is built, how emotions can be de-escalated, and how leaders can maintain clarity when stakes are at their highest.
Respected for both his operational excellence and his thoughtful perspective, Jack Cambria continues to influence how crises are understood and managed. His career stands as a testament to the power of disciplined communication and principled leadership in the most demanding circumstances imaginable.
The Producer of this Program:
Mike Wilkerson:
Mike Wilkerson:Mike Wilkerson Is the PodFather of St. Louis, and has been hosting, producing, concepting and enhancing podcasts since 2005. As a professional content creator, Mike has been making and documenting every mistake in the Podcasting industry so you won’t have to when you’re ready to begin. With thousands of of hours of business, marketing and life experience behind and in front of the mic and keyboard, he has created a vibrant and always-growing business tapestry via The 2GuysTalking Podcast Network.
As a perpetual student, Mike continues to foster interests in Crisis Negotiator Training, Firearms Instruction and helping people to find the next step in their career with an active interest in hunting light bulb moments.
— Mike Wilkerson on Facebook
— Mike Wilkerson on LinkedIn
— Mike Wilkerson on X
— Mike Wilkerson on Instagram
— 2GuysTalking on LinkedIn
— 2GuysTalking on YouTube
