Crisis Negotiation Team

The EPD Crisis Negotiations Team

The Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) is currently made up of nine negotiators, one intelligence analyst, and two tactical dispatchers, who work closely with SWAT on demanding and dangerous calls, such as high-risk search and arrest warrants, barricaded subjects, armed suicidal subjects and hostage situations.


CNT can/will respond independently of SWAT to assist on incidents that are deemed to be beyond the scope of patrol officers because of limitations in their equipment or expertise.


CNT Responses

CNT members are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to provide assistance to other units within the department. The team also may be deployed to critical incidents in nearby areas outside the City when needed:

  • CNT attends continuing education courses and trains monthly to maintain and improve skills
  • CNT utilizes basic and specialized equipment to aid in communications, which includes a mobile response vehicle to operate from
  • In critical incidents, including those involving barricaded subjects, the CNT works closely with SWAT to resolve the situation without injury to officers or citizens
  • CNT maintains relationships and trains with regional partners (LCSO, FBI, Salem PD, and OSP)
  • CNT maintains membership with the Western States Hostage Negotiation Association (WSHNA) and National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA)
  • Most SWAT-involved incidents are resolved through the skills of trained negotiators

Crisis Negotiation Team: Video
Crisis Negotiation Team: Video