VIDEO. Written, psychological tests, scenarios … The obstacle course to become a Raid negotiator

It was the longest negotiation in the history of the Parisian Research and Intervention Brigade (BRI). Monday, December 20, a man took two women hostage in a hardware store in the 12th arrondissement of Paris. For seventeen hours, elite BRI police officers tried to reason with him. France 2 followed candidates trying to integrate the team of negotiators of the Raid.

Written, psychological tests, situations in the heart of nature… The tests they have to pass are intended in particular to see what approach the candidates adopt in contact with criminals. “It’s complicated because we don’t have a technical base, we have to do everything with our experience“, details to France 2 Sophie, candidate. Later, tandem exercises are organized, the negotiators often having to work in pairs. The assets sought?”Good listening skills and empathy are obviously what we are looking for. A certain sweetness of voice, a natural calm, no stress“, enumerates Mehdi, negotiator.