More than 200 law enforcement personnel from around the country converged on the Texas State University campus last week for the three-day Hostage Negotiation Training and Competition.

The event, now in its 23rd year, was the brainchild of Wayman Mullins, professor of criminal justice at the university and an expert in hostage and crisis negotiations and terrorism.

For the past 16 years, he has been a reserve deputy and member of the regional Hostage Negotiation Team comprised of officers from the Hays County Sheriff’s Office, San Marcos Police Department and Kyle Police Department. He provides mental health services as well.

Mullins co-authored the book, “Crisis Negotiations-Managing Critical Incidents and Hostage Situations in Law Enforcement and Corrections,” with Michael McMains. That book, entering its fifth edition, is considered what many would call the “bible” of hostage situations.

Read more at the Hays Free Presshttp://haysfreepress.com/2013/01/16/hostage-negotiators-compete-at-...