Which of the following is NOT one of the five factors to consider in mediation?

• A. Officer safety must not be compromised
• B. Subjects must be willing to talk
• C. Subjects must be rational
• D. Time of day is not relevant

Answer: (D)

In mediation, the factors you look at are things that directly affect whether a calm, productive dialogue is possible: safety for everyone involved, the willingness of the subjects to engage in the conversation, and their ability to think clearly and behave rationally. Time of day, while it can influence logistics or visibility, does not change whether those core conditions exist, so it isn’t treated as one of the factors to consider in deciding to pursue mediation. That’s why the statement that time of day is not relevant is the one that doesn’t belong among the mediation factors. The other points describe conditions that you actively assess to determine if mediation can proceed.