The Boynton Beach Police Department’s Crisis Negotiation Team is a specialized unit dedicated to resolving the most critical and emotionally charged incidents through communication, patience, and professionalism. CNT’s mission is simple yet vital: to bring volatile situations to peaceful resolution whenever possible—protecting lives, supporting community safety, and providing officers with nonviolent alternatives during high-risk encounters.
What the Crisis Negotiation Team Does
CNT members are highly trained communicators who respond to a wide range of critical incidents, including:
- Barricaded subjects who refuse to surrender or are believed to pose a danger to themselves or others.
- Hostage situations, where innocent people are held to enforce demands.
- Individuals in mental or emotional crisis, including potentially suicidal persons.
- Pre-planned SWAT operations, where negotiators stand ready to support peaceful compliance.
Negotiators work to build rapport, reduce tension, and guide subjects toward voluntary, safe surrender. At the same time, they support SWAT and command staff with real-time intelligence, strategic recommendations, and communication expertise.
How CNT Creates Safe Outcomes
While every situation is unique, the team’s work often includes scenarios such as:
- Engaging with a distraught individual threatening self-harm, using empathy and active listening to slowly shift the person from despair toward hope—culminating in a safe handoff to mental-health professionals.
- Negotiating with a barricaded suspect, calmly persuading them to exit without violence after hours of steady, structured dialogue.
- Maintaining communication during a high-risk warrant service, helping residents inside understand what is happening and encouraging cooperation before tensions escalate.
When deployed, the Crisis Negotiation Team assumes responsibility for all communication with the subject involved in the incident. Working closely with the Incident Commander and SWAT, CNT members:
- Establish a secure negotiation operations center
- Assess the situation and develop a negotiation strategy
- Maintain detailed records of negotiation activities
- Coordinate communication equipment, including the Rescue Phone System and other tools
- Assist with planning for safe surrenders, hostage releases, and tactical options
- Request specialized support such as interpreters, clinicians, or spiritual advisors as needed
- Participate in post-incident debriefings and reporting to ensure continuous improvement
Training, Professionalism, and Readiness
CNT personnel must demonstrate professionalism, sound judgment, and exceptional interpersonal skills. Once appointed, every negotiator receives ongoing specialized training, including:
- 40 hours of Basic Crisis/Hostage Negotiation Training
- Crisis Intervention Techniques
- Critical Incident Stress Management
- Annual joint exercises with SWAT, ensuring seamless coordination in real-world operations
Team members remain on call 24/7.
The Crisis Negotiation Team exemplifies the department’s dedication to preserving life and maintaining community trust. By combining advanced training, strategic communication, and strong collaboration with SWAT and command staff, CNT increases the likelihood that even the most dangerous incidents end safely—and with dignity for everyone involved.
