The newly formed Clements team received its first real test April 2000, when an offender took a correctional officer hostage. After seven hours of negotiation, the offender released the officer unharmed. And, in January, the Montford team assisted the Lubbock Police Department to end a crisis situation in which an offender held two nurses hostage. In addition, the Montford team had successfully negotiated two previous incidents. Each team is a blend of 12 to 14 correctional and Texas Tech University Health Science Center employees.
Membership is voluntary and based on several factors.
We choose members based on the unique makeup of the team. Team balance regarding ethnic, racial, and gender characteristics is important. A hostage taker's unique psychological makeup determines which type of primary negotiator is more likely to be effective. Another aspect of the selection process and team maintenance is assessing the mental health of each potential team member. The mental health of each team member is extremely important.