Crisis Negotiations Team

The RPD Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) was formed in 1988. The primary mission of the RPD CNT is to respond to crisis incidents in order to negotiate with barricaded subjects and hostage takers for the peaceful resolution of the crisis situation.

The RPD Crisis Negotiation Team consists of six officers trained in human psychology, abnormal psychology, active listening techniques, mental illnesses and dealing with those who are mentally ill, as well as a host of other areas dealing with human behavior. Like the SWAT Team, the Crisis Negotiation Team is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is activated by either the Administration or by an RPD Supervisor. The CNT averages 3 call-outs per year. Like sWAT, the members of the CNT perform dual roles in the department, acting as Patrol Officers, Investigators, or Supervisors.

All RPD CNT Officers are selected from volunteers from the Richmond Indiana Police Department. Officers are eligible after three years of service on the Richmond Police Department. Before an officer can act as a Primary Negotiator, the officer must have had at a minimum 40 hours of Basic Negotiations training from an established school, and must submit to psychological examination. The CNT uses specialized equipment to assist in its goal of bringing people out peacefully, and all CNT officers receive specialized training in utilization of that equipment.

The RPD CNT is available to outside area agencies when mutual aid is requested.

Should you have any questions concerning the Crisis Negotiations Team, contact the Team Leader, Lt. Chris Taylor, at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or at (765)983-7372.