Duties & Responsibilities

The goal of the Hostage Negotiations Team (HNT) is to resolve incidents requiring rapid negotiation intervention without the loss of life and before the situation necessitates a tactical response. The Hostage Negotiations Team relies on the expertise of a captain, a lieutenant, sergeants, police officers and Tactical Support Team (TST) personnel. HNT deals with high risk, life threatening, crisis situations by negotiating the surrender of subjects who are suicidal, take hostages, or are armed, dangerous and often under the influence of drugs or alcohol. TST is comprised of civilian personnel who support HNT and SWAT during critical incidents.

Training

Training continues to be a focus for the Hostage Negotiations Team. Monthly trainings have included other tactical response teams with the Santa Rosa Police Department and the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office.