The Hostage Negotiations Team (H.N.T.) is comprised of Calaveras County Sheriff’s Department members who are assigned to other full-time duties and perform their H.N.T. functions in addition to their regular assignments. Sworn officers assigned to H.N.T. must meet demanding selection criteria, attend numerous training schools and are required to attend ongoing team training sessions. Additionally, team members must have technical skills in a variety of communication equipment, maintain proficiency with that equipment, and be up to date on related case laws and regulations.
H.N.T. is on call 24 hours a day, all year. The team is another tool for law enforcement to peacefully resolve potentially dangerous and sometimes deadly situations without injury or death.
The Calaveras H.N.T. unit provides mutual aid during crises to other law enforcement agencies when requested and also provides training to other law enforcement and public service agencies. Training topics include basic negotiations, first responder issues, crisis intervention, hostage survival, threat assessment, and workplace violence.