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Conversations

What Are Conversations?​

Conversations in PeaceProxy are secure communication channels that enable real-time exchange of information between team members during crisis negotiations and incident management. They provide structured, documented communication that supports effective team coordination and creates a permanent record of all interactions.

Types of Conversations​

PeaceProxy supports three distinct conversation types to accommodate different communication needs:

🔹 Private Conversations​

Private conversations are one-on-one exchanges between two team members. These conversations:

  • Allow for confidential discussions between specific individuals
  • Support direct coordination between roles (e.g., negotiator and commander)
  • Provide a space for sensitive information sharing
  • Enable mentoring and guidance without broader visibility

🔹 Group Conversations​

Group conversations include multiple participants and are designed for team-based communication. These conversations:

  • Facilitate coordination among specific functional teams
  • Allow for specialized discussions (e.g., tactical planning, psychological assessment)
  • Support role-based communication groups
  • Enable focused collaboration on specific aspects of the incident

🔹 Public Conversations​

Public conversations are visible to all authorized personnel involved in a negotiation. These conversations:

  • Serve as the primary channel for team-wide updates
  • Provide situational awareness to all team members
  • Document critical developments for the entire response team
  • Create a comprehensive chronological record of the incident

Who Can Create Conversations?​

The ability to create conversations is determined by user roles and permissions:

  • Negotiation Leads can create all conversation types
  • Team Supervisors can create group and private conversations for their team members
  • Negotiators can typically create private conversations with other team members
  • Command Staff can create conversations based on operational needs
  • System Administrators can create any conversation type

Your specific permissions are determined by your agency's configuration and your assigned role within the system.

Creating a New Conversation​

To create a new conversation:

  1. Navigate to the chat interface within an active negotiation
  2. Click the "+" button in the conversation sidebar
  3. Select the conversation type (Private, Group, or Public)
  4. For private conversations: select the team member you wish to communicate with
  5. For group conversations: enter a name for the group and select participants
  6. Click "Create Conversation" to establish the new communication channel

Managing Conversations​

Joining Conversations​

  • You are automatically added to conversations when:
    • You create the conversation
    • Another user adds you as a participant
    • You are assigned to a role that requires access to specific conversations

Leaving Conversations​

  • To temporarily leave a conversation, click the "Leave" option in the conversation menu
  • You can rejoin later by selecting the conversation from your list
  • Note that leaving does not delete your previous messages or remove your access

Closing Conversations​

  • Conversation creators and administrators can close conversations when they are no longer needed
  • Closed conversations remain accessible for review but cannot receive new messages
  • To close a conversation, select "Close Conversation" from the conversation menu

Using Conversations Effectively​

Best Practices​

  1. Use Appropriate Channels: Select the right conversation type based on the sensitivity and audience of your communication
  2. Stay Organized: Use clear naming conventions for group conversations
  3. Maintain Focus: Keep conversations on-topic to ensure clarity and effectiveness
  4. Document Key Points: Important information shared in private conversations should be summarized in public channels when appropriate
  5. Consider Visibility: Be mindful of who can see your messages in each conversation type

Conversation Features​

  • Message Types: Send regular messages, alerts, emergency notifications, or whispers ( see Messaging Guide)
  • File Sharing: Attach documents, images, or other files to your messages
  • Reactions: Quickly acknowledge or respond to messages with emoji reactions
  • Read Receipts: See when your messages have been viewed by recipients
  • Filtering: Use the sidebar to filter conversations by subject, status, or tag

Conversation Security​

All conversations in PeaceProxy are:

  • End-to-end encrypted for maximum security
  • Accessible only to authorized personnel
  • Permanently logged for accountability and record-keeping
  • Compliant with law enforcement data protection standards

Troubleshooting​

If you encounter issues with conversations:

  • Can't create a conversation: Verify your permissions with your system administrator
  • Missing participants: Ensure users have the correct role assignments
  • Message delivery issues: Check your network connection and refresh the application
  • Visibility problems: Confirm that you have the necessary permissions for the conversation

For additional assistance, contact your agency's PeaceProxy administrator or refer to the system documentation.