Community Services Division

Emergency Services - Crisis Negotiators

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The Regina Police Service is committed to resolving potentially violent situations using the least amount of force necessary. All police officers use their presence and voice as a first step toward resolving conflict. However in critical incidents, police recognize that the use of trained Negotiators as a prudent step toward a safe resolution.

The Crisis Negotiator Team has informally existed for many years, but officially became a team in 1986 when the first member was trained in Ottawa. Since that time there has been approximately 30 members who have attended Ottawa for this training.

The Crisis Negotiator Team has eight members who serve on a part-time basis. They are equipped with cell phones that are required to be on 24 hours a day. Members come from all sections of the police department. The team falls under the command of the Emergency Services Section. Calls that involve the Crisis Negotiator Team include:

1. Hostage Takings
2. Barricaded Persons
3. Suicidal Individuals
4. High Risk Warrant Executions
5. All calls involving SWAT
6. Any calls that have the potential to become more serious

All members of the Crisis Negotiator team take a 8 day Crisis Negotiator Course at the Canadian Police College in Ottawa. The team also trains on a regular basis, often with the other Emergency Service Teams. Using actors to simulate real life scenarios are an integral part of the training. Members have additional training which includes Suicide Intervention and Mediation Training and every 3-5 years a CNT refresher course at the Canadian Police College.

CNT members need to undergo psychological testing and have a proven ability to function well under stress.

The equipment used has evolved from a CNT ready bag consisting of a bullhorn, a softball with a rope attached, a light and a clip board to computers, cell phones and a command unit. The command unit is a trailer where negotiations are conducted from.

Members of the Crisis Negotiator Team are available as a resource to the community and lecture to groups, The Citizens Police Academy, Treaty Four Citizens Police Academy and The Saskatchewan Police College.