Crisis Negotiators
Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT)
The Crisis Negotiation Team is a specialized unit dedicated to resolving high-risk incidents through the art of communication. In situations involving barricaded subjects, hostage-taking, or individuals in emotional crisis, the CNT acts as the department’s primary tool for de-escalation. By using advanced psychological techniques and active listening, negotiators work to ensure the safety of the public, the officers, and the individuals involved.
A Collateral Duty Unit
Like our other special operations teams, the Crisis Negotiation Team is a collateral duty unit. Our negotiators are full-time patrol officers, detectives, and supervisors who undergo specialized selection and training. They remain on-call 24/7, ready to respond to volatile scenes while maintaining their primary responsibilities within the department.
The Power of Dialogue
The CNT is often deployed alongside the SWAT team to provide a dual-track approach to a crisis: tactical overwatch and verbal engagement. The team's goals include:
- Emotional Stabilization: Working with individuals in high-stress or mental health crises to lower their emotional intensity and encourage rational decision-making.
- Rapport Building: Establishing a line of communication and a sense of trust with subjects to facilitate a peaceful resolution.
- Hostage Negotiation: Utilizing highly specialized strategies to ensure the safe release of victims in life-threatening situations.
- Intelligence Gathering: Providing critical information to command staff regarding a subject's mindset, demands, and background.
Specialized Training & Team Roles
Negotiation s never a solo effort; it is a coordinated team discipline. A typical CNT deployment involves several distinct role
- Primary Negotiator: The lead voice who speaks directly with the subject to build rapport.
- Secondary (Coach): Supports the primary negotiator by taking notes, suggesting talking points, and monitoring the primary's stress levels.
- Intelligence Coordinator: Researches the subject’s history, social media, and criminal records to provide the team with "leverage" and a better understanding of the situation.
- Technical Specialist: Manages specialized communication equipment, including secure phone lines and "throw phones" used to establish contact in barricaded environments.
De-Escalation as a Priority
The Farmington Police Department is committed to the preservation of life. The Crisis Negotiation Team represents our highest level of commitment to de-escalation. By prioritizing patience and empathy over physical force, the CNT has a proven track record of bringing dangerous situations to a conclusion where no one gets hurt.
