The Crisis Negotiation Team is a group of police employees selected and trained to communicate directly with hostage takers or barricaded subjects in critical incidents. The Team consists of two sergeants and four officers who have completed intensive critical incident training.
The Team works closely with the Department's Special Response Team as resolution of critical incidents are dependent on the smooth interaction between the Teams whether resolved by tactical means or by peaceful negotiation.
The incidents handled by the Crisis Negotiation Team are often highly charged emotionally, and require an extraordinary amount of patience, self control, perception, and creative problem solving on the part of the negotiators. The Team has consistently proven itself a professional, effective, and extremely successful team of the Bothell Police Department.