ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – A large police presence this afternoon on Route 364 Veterans Memorial Bridge drew the attention of many drivers. The police were there as part of a routine training seminar aimed at enhancing the skills of negotiators.

“So, we’re out here doing a multi-jurisdictional training on crisis negotiation. Specifically designed around people wanting to jump off a bridge,” Sgt. Dan Asher, St. Louis County Police Department, said.

Officers roleplay as both negotiators and subjects in crisis. This allowed team members to practice communication strategies and make quick decisions under pressure.

“Our goal is to get people out of a dangerous scenario peacefully. We don’t want anybody to get hurt. That is our goal,” Detective Joe Strehl, St. Louis County Police Department, sai

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