Inside the Mind of a Crisis Negotiator: Brian Banning’s Journey

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Step inside The Crisis Cop NOC, the nerve center where the weight of crisis is both shouldered and unraveled, and you’ll find retired Lieutenant Brian Banning – Crisis Negotiator, a man whose law enforcement journey reads like a riveting novel – one that twists from the concrete cells of Sacramento County’s jails to the electric tension of high-stakes negotiations.

For 26 years, Brian Banning – Crisis Negotiator wore every hat the badge had to offer: jailer, patrol deputy, fusion center analyst, and finally, the calm and steady voice behind the negotiation team’s phone line, where lives hung in the balance and every conversation was a chance to change destiny.

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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 26-year Sacramento County Sheriff’s veteran with diverse roles: jail deputy, patrol, fusion centers, critical infrastructure intel, and terrorism threat analysis.
04:52 The speaker enjoyed negotiation work and saved lives through it, making the experience fulfilling and impactful.
06:53 Team mentors, including Sergeants Bob Curry and Bob Lizzito, shaped effective communication and broader considerations, emphasizing professionalism, legal awareness, and representation in high-stakes situations.
13:07 Early role: setup equipment and intelligence; later: first negotiation with a distraught man threatening self-harm.
15:12 Verbal mistakes are easier to overcome than tactical ones; rebuild rapport to recover trust in negotiations.
17:17 Early in their career, a negotiator used intelligence about a barricaded gang member’s Raiders fandom during an armed standoff in an evacuated apartment complex.
21:24 Negotiators are a small, specialized community within law enforcement.
24:25 A man aiming for suicide by cop held hostages, called the police, and the team leader was dispatched to handle the situation.
31:05 Law enforcement often prioritizes negotiation over deadly force, saving lives despite situations where shooting would be legally justified.
36:32 An apartment complex was evacuated for 36 hours as police searched for JD Souza, wanted for shooting at officers; intelligence suggested he might visit his ex-girlfriend’s home in Sacramento.
37:47 Man quickly checks a room, instinctively avoids entering, and spots JD Souza aiming an SKS rifle.
48:03 Seek help from a counselor for fresh solutions; it’s worth exploring options.
51:28 Brian Banning reflects on his legacy, valuing lasting teaching tips, especially the idea that negotiation prevents unnecessary violence, ensuring safety for all.
55:18 Understand your audience, infrastructure risks, and priorities; manage relationships effectively; prepare for crises and support your team.
56:52 Prioritize safety, educate teams, foster wellness, and support each other.
59:57 Brian thanked for sharing his story on Crisis Cop Podcast; encouraged to seek knowledge.

 

Questions Answered Inside This Episode of Cops and Robbers Talk:

  1. How did Brian Banning – Crisis Negotiator’s early experiences in the jail system influence his approach to crisis and hostage negotiation later in his career?
  2. Brian Banning – Crisis Negotiator mentions the Good Guys hostage rescue as a pivotal event for his department. How do major incidents like this shape departmental policies and team composition?
  3. What role do personal connections and shared experiences (e.g., knowing the same people, similar backgrounds) play in building rapport during a negotiation, based on Brian Banning – Crisis Negotiator’s stories?
  4. Discuss the importance of “face-saving” strategies for subjects during negotiations. In what ways did Brian Banning – Crisis Negotiator use these techniques successfully?
  5. How does misinformation or withheld intelligence (such as the Idaho case) impact the outcome of crisis negotiations?
  6. Brian Banning – Crisis Negotiator talks about the importance of mentorship and ongoing skill development. What systems or structures can law enforcement agencies put in place to encourage this kind of growth?
  7. Reflect on the “force multiplier” effect of training others that Brian Banning – Crisis Negotiator describes. Why is this especially significant in the negotiation field?
  8. Negotiators are often required to think in “multi-dimensional” ways during incidents. How did Brian Banning – Crisis Negotiator explain this skill and why is it crucial for successful outcomes?
  9. The episode discusses the value of team support and wellness post-incident. In what ways should agencies ensure negotiators and tactical officers are supported after high-stress events?
  10. What advice does Brian Banning – Crisis Negotiator give to aspiring crisis negotiators about legacy and the emotional weight of the profession, and how can new negotiators apply this perspective to their own careers?

 

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

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The Host of this Program:

Pat Doering - Host of The Crisis Cop Podcast - Crisis Negotiator, Police Officer, Writer, Father - Go Behind the BadgePat Doering

Pat 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.”

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The Guest Featured Inside this Program:

Crisis Negotiator Brian Banning - a Guest on The Crisis Cop Podcast via WhatCopsWatch.Com & 2GuysTalkingBrian Banning

Brian Banning is a retired Lieutenant from the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department, where he served for 26 years in roles ranging from jail deputy and patrol officer to working intelligence in the fusion center following 9/11. His extensive law enforcement career included critical assignments analyzing terrorism threats and implementing security for California’s infrastructure.

Brian became a crisis hostage negotiator after the Good Guys hostage standoff, joining and later leading the department’s negotiation team. He also served as president of the California Association of Hostage Negotiators, organizing training and conferences to elevate the field and multiply life-saving skills across the profession.

Passionate about mentorship, Brian has trained countless negotiators throughout his career. He’s deeply committed to saving lives—both officers and subjects—advancing the art and science of crisis negotiation, and building a collaborative, supportive community dedicated to making law enforcement safer and more effective.

 

The Producer of this Program:

Mike Wilkerson - Co-host of The WhatCopsWatch.Com Podcast - Go Behind the BadgeMike 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.

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