SENIOR police officers from the region will be taught how to handle hostage situations at a workshop next week.
Teesside University's Centre for Police Research and Education will play host to Dr Pete Divasto, from New Mexico, who will address the intricacies of dealing with a hostage situation.
The workshop will centre on specific cases and the role of psychology in law enforcement.
Dr Divasto will also discuss the role of third-party intermediaries and negotiating with anti-social personalities.
Director of the police research centre Colin Dunnighan said: "Dr Divasto is a psychologist, with an internationally-recognised expertise in this area, who has been involved in a number of high-profile American cases.
"He works on a regular basis for law enforcement agencies in New Mexico and elsewhere."
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