As basic exploratory research, this study was conducted to describe the paradigms of federal, state, and local negotiators and tactical operators and to determine the extent to which these paradigms contribute to potential conflict between the negotiation and tactical teams. A review of the literature indicates that conflict does indeed exist and is the result of differing paradigms due to minimal or nonexistent personal and professional relationships among the negotiators and tactical operators. According to the literature, this conflict can be explained from the standpoint of symbolic interaction, social construction, group dynamics, and intergroup conflict theories. These theories posit that differing group cultures that develop and thrive without interaction tend to conflict when trying to achieve their goals in shared situations as a result of perceived incompatible goal attainment.

Gregory M. Vecchi, Ph.D. has over 20 years experience as a federal agent in the FBI, U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Army. Dr. Vecchi is a FBI and London certified hostage negotiator and expert in conflict and crisis communication and management.