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The members of this specialized unit are trained to analyze conflict situations and determine the best route to resolve incidents safely. Trained to defuse highly stressed individuals, they negotiate and resolve volatile situations such as hostage taking, hijacking and potential suicides.
The CNU officers are also members of a joint Valley Crisis Communication Unit. Comprised of negotiators from Auburn, Renton, Tukwila, Kent and Federal Way Police Departments, this unit is available to assist any member department when multiple negotiators are needed. The merging of teams also provides for great training, more equipment, and allows for a variety of perspectives when critiquing recent incidents.
The unit's four members - one sergeant and three officers - are required to successfully complete a 40-hour basic hostage negotiation class before they can actively participate in any hostage, barricade, suicidal or other crisis situation.
The most common tool utilized is hostage negotiation is the "throw" phone, which keeps communication between the suspect and negotiator only. The alternative is a "Hailer," a loud speaker used when a suspect is in an open or difficult to reach area.
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