City of Bellevue, Nebraska Police Department

The purpose of the Tactical Negotiation Unit (TNU) is to successfully resolve, through the use of negotiation techniques, situations involving barricaded gunmen, suicidal subjects, or hostage takers. Nationally, 87% of all negotiation incidents involve individuals who have not taken any hostages, but who are in a state of acute personal crisis. The negotiator’s task is to listen and support the subject and persuade him or her to accept help to deal with the personal problems that seem overwhelming. A negotiator has been successful if the individual relinquishes his weapons, comes out from the barricade or concealment, and meets with officers who can transport the subject to the appropriate authorities.

The Tactical Negotiation Unit is comprised of highly-trained police officers who are well-equipped. The Unit is separate from, but works closely with, the SWAT Team. In most incidents in which the SWAT Team is deployed, the negotiation unit will also respond. A police commander of lieutenant rank or above is the unit commander and oversees the unit’s operations during a call-out. This TNU commander reports directly to the Incident Commander or the Chief of Police where the incident is occurring, and maintains constant communication with the SWAT commander.

There are three roles or functions that are critical for successful negotiation. One unit member will be designated as the primary negotiator. This officer will speak directly with the subject and work through the issues with him. There is also a secondary negotiator who monitors the communication occurring between the primary negotiator and the subject. The secondary assists the primary as needed. The third role is intelligence officer. This officer searches data bases and contacts neighbors, family members, co-workers, and others in order to gather information regarding the subject and his concerns. Other negotiators are assigned support functions as needed.

The goal of the Incident Commander is to use the resources of the Tactical Negotiation Unit and the SWAT Team in synchronization to reach a satisfactory conclusion.