Crisis Response Unit
Specialized response to critical incidents across DeSoto County.
Our Mission
Resolve high-risk critical incidents through specialized tactical response and crisis intervention. The Crisis Response Unit combines negotiation and tactical capabilities to bring complex situations to peaceful conclusions when normal police response is insufficient.
Key Responsibilities
- Respond to hostage situations, barricaded suspects, and suicidal individuals
- Execute high-risk search warrants and warrant service
- Provide dignitary protection and respond to terrorist threats
- Utilize negotiation techniques and tactical operations in coordinated response
Day in the Life
The Crisis Response Unit maintains on-call status with 2- to 8-hour training sessions. The team responds to critical incidents county-wide and assists outside agencies as requested. The work requires close coordination between negotiators and tactical operators to de-escalate crisis situations safely and effectively.
Training & Development
- Monthly crisis negotiation training
- Bi-monthly SWAT tactical training (16 hours)
- FBI Crisis Negotiations course (40 hours)
- Crisis Intervention Team training (40 hours)
- Advanced firearms and breaching certifications
- Regional multi-agency training exercises
Why Crisis Response?
The Crisis Response Unit is a dual-capability unit that prioritizes peaceful resolution through negotiation while maintaining tactical readiness for worst-case scenarios. Members save lives through communication skills as often as through tactical intervention.
Specialized Teams
The Crisis Response Unit includes specialized teams trained to handle the most complex critical incidents.
Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT)
It is the mission of the Crisis Negotiation Team to assist individuals in crisis—through the use of negotiation techniques—and bring each situation to a peaceful conclusion. These crisis situations include suicides, barricaded subjects, hostage situations, and any other situation where a crisis negotiator would be beneficial.
Key Responsibilities
- Respond to crisis situations where normal police response and policy have failed
- Use active listening skills to help individuals in crisis find options for a peaceful conclusion
- Respond and work in unison with the SWAT Team to bring crisis situations to a peaceful conclusion
Training Opportunities
- Monthly negotiations training
- 40-hour FBI Crisis Negotiations course
- 40-hour Crisis Intervention Team training
- Occasional regional negotiations training with teams from Tennessee, Mississippi, and Arkansas
Day in the Life
A typical training day lasts anywhere from 2 to 4 hours. The team responds to call-outs in DeSoto County and the surrounding area to assist in crisis situations, working alongside the SWAT team to bring each crisis to a peaceful conclusion.
Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT)
A designated unit of deputies specifically trained and equipped to work as a coordinated team to resolve critical incidents that are so hazardous, complex, or unusual that they may exceed the capabilities of first responders or investigative units.
Key Responsibilities
- Hostage situations
- Barricaded suspects
- Terrorist acts
- High-risk search warrants
- High-risk warrant service
- Dignitary protection operations
Training Opportunities
- Bi-monthly training (16 hours total)
- Advanced tactics training
- Advanced firearms training
- Advanced breacher training
- Advanced long-range firearms training
Day in the Life
A typical training day consists of 8 hours—4 hours dedicated to daytime training and 4 hours dedicated to nighttime training. SWAT maintains on-call status and responds to any critical incident where SWAT is needed. The team works alongside all divisions within the Sheriff's Office as well as outside agencies that request SWAT assistance.
Interested in Crisis Response?
Crisis Response Unit assignments are filled from within the Sheriff's Office and require specialized training. The first step is to apply as a Deputy Sheriff.
View Deputy Sheriff Careers