Behind the Tape: Gripping, real-life stories from New Zealand's top police crisis negotiator: Life on the Police Frontline

Lance Burdett was in the police force for 22 years, in a variety of high-level roles: head of negotiation team; running 111 centre; intelligence management; protection squad and emergency responders. He worked on some of NZ's most high profile cases such as the Jan Molenaar case where Lance was flown in to head the negotiation team, and the George Baker prison hostage negotiation with the man who murdered Liam Ashley.

His daily police life included frequent suicide interventions in high-profile locations, which were common call-outs for the negotiation team. Lance talks about the different negotiation styles and challenges involved.

He was involved in Australia/NZ anti-terrorism training, and played the role of terrorist over several days on site. His story shows how quickly you can become indoctrinated and 'hate' your 'enemies'. Lance also underwent FBI training in Washington where he found that NZ's negotiation skills held up well.

Behind the Tape tells what it's really like to be a cop: the fear, the excitement, the stress, the everyday drama, the skills developed, the lives saved, the lives lost. It's gritty, tough and confronting.