The Douglas County Sheriff’s Crisis Negotiation Team is committed to resolving high-risk and crisis situations by minimizing risk to human life through professional dialogue and minimal use of force.

The CNT is trained in resolving crisis situations peacefully. CNT is often called to work with the Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT) on high-risk situations where there is likelihood that suspects are heavily armed and barricaded and have hostages, or are suicidal or mentally unstable.

The  team includes one full-time psychologist who provides mental health observations in regard to the mindset of individuals, as well as suggesting possible appropriate dialogues and avenues of understanding to gain compliance with an individual who, most often, is confronted with a situation that is overwhelming and exceeds that person’s ability to cope.

The team continually trains with surrounding law enforcement negotiation teams and receives formal training from agencies such as the FBI to maintain its knowledge of the latest negotiation processes, communication, de-escalation skills and aftercare to individuals involved in crisis situations.