Crisis Negotiation Team

Overview

The Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) is a specialized unit dedicated to achieving peaceful resolutions during critical incidents such as hostage situations, barricaded subjects, suicide interventions and other high-risk events. The CNT may also provide support to the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team during high-risk warrant services, dignitary protection details and other specialized operations. The team responds swiftly and decisively, guided by well-planned strategies designed to ensure the safety of everyone involved.

Operating under the direction of the operations captain, the CNT is led by a patrol sergeant who supervises eight to 10 team members—all full-time employees of the department serving in different roles as part of their regular assignments. The team is activated only during emergencies that require their specialized expertise.

Education and Training

Crisis Negotiation Team members receive a minimum of 40 hours of initial crisis negotiation training. Each negotiator must also complete at least 40 hours of advanced, negotiation-related in-service training annually. To maintain readiness and team cohesion, CNT members conduct at least eight hours of team training each month.