CPD’s Crisis Negotiation Team places second at Negotiator’s Challenge

Congratulations to the Columbia Police Department's Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) for taking second place at the Missouri Association of Crisis Negotiators Negotiator's Challenge.

The annual competition was held at The Crossing Church in Columbia and featured seven agencies from across Missouri and Kansas. Representing CPD were Sgts. Kim German and Josh McCulloch, Det. Maggie Franks and Ofcs. Corinne Raney and Jonathan Sauceda.

Teams participating in the competition were judged on active listening skills, communication with the subject, team communication, use of intelligence, risk assessments, structured brainstorming, handling of demands and deadlines, team roles and intelligence. The negotiators also had 12 positive performance indicators and eight negative performance indicators they either had to meet or avoid.

More than just an opportunity for recognition, events like the Negotiator's Challenge provide rare moments for the team to effectively and extensively practice negotiation techniques, skills that are often difficult to authentically practice due to the nature of a crisis incident.

The CNT works hand-in-hand with the SWAT team on high-risk warrants and barricaded subjects. They will often respond to suicidal subjects both while on normal patrol duties and when they're called in for incidents.

Members of the Crisis Negotiation Team participate in a training exercise in late April. From left: Officers Jonathan Sauceda and Corinne Raney, Detective Maggie Franks and Sergeant Kim German.

The Department's negotiators train regularly to help keep their skills fresh and the varied makeup of the team allows negotiators to utilize a variety of experiences and skills for their roles.

"CNT trains monthly," said German. "Officers use their skill sets, such as active listening, effective communication and intelligence gathering, that they bring from their everyday work - whether that's from patrol, supervisory positions or as detectives."

Already the CNT has been called more than 11 times this year, and they have been instrumental in helping resolve several tense incidents.

In February, they convinced an armed subject who was barricaded in a residence to allow two juveniles in the building to exit. The subject eventually surrendered without incident. Then in March, negotiators convinced another armed subject barricaded in a high-rise housing structure to surrender without incident in March.

"Our Crisis Negotiation Team plays a vital role in helping the Department resolve some of our most tense and sensitive incidents," said Lt. Clint Sinclair, who supervises the team. "This is a well-deserved recognition for their dedication in serving and protecting their community."

The Columbia Police Department is proud of the hard work and success of the Crisis Negotiation Team, as well as their continuous commitment to excellence!