ABSTRACT

Any agency that utilizes either tactical teams or a coordinated response protocol is well-advised to develop sound policy and engage in appropriate training of its affected members. Tactical team capabilities continue to advance due to both improved and increased training as well as technological developments. School shooting situations shown on television have provided the public with an image of the type of armed response of the tactical team in the law enforcement setting. The most well-known and universally visible tactical group is the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT). Originally attributed to the Los Angeles Police Department, most such units are trained in a curriculum consistent with the Tactical Response and Operations Standard for Law Enforcement Agencies outlined by the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA). The Hostage Negotiation Team (HNT) or Crisis Negotiation Unit (CNU) may be a stand-alone unit or a component within a larger tactical team such as SWAT or Correctional Emergency Response Team (CERT).