The Crisis Response Unit, or “CRU,” is comprised of the department’s Special Weapons and Tactics team (SWAT), Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT), and the Tactical Dispatcher Team.

The overall purpose of the CRU is to save lives during critical or high-profile incidents.

SWAT

The purpose of the SWAT Team is to provide protection, support, and rescue, enhancing safety for officers and the community. SWAT is designed to respond to high-risk situations to increase the likelihood of safely resolving critical incidents.

In addition to high-risk deployments, the SWAT Team assists neighboring agencies in arresting high-risk or armed suspects. The team regularly participates in regional training hosted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and team members regularly attend training throughout the state.

Crisis Negotiations Team

The mission of the CNT is to save lives and resolve critical, hostage, and crisis incidents while attempting to avoid unnecessary risk to officers, citizens, victims, and subjects. CNT uses proven negotiation-defusing skills to achieve the desired outcome. It is the goal of CNT to make every effort to bring a peaceful conclusion to any situation that may be encountered. CNT is comprised of one sergeant and five police officers. CNT is an ancillary duty to the officer’s primary responsibilities. The team trains once a month and hold joint training with the SWAT Team twice a year.

Tactical Dispatch Team

The dispatchers assigned to the Tactical Dispatch Team are specially trained Public Safety Dispatchers who respond to all SWAT/CNT callouts, other critical incidents, and pre-planned SWAT deployments.