CPD hosting Missouri Association of Crisis Negotiators Challenge today

Today, the Columbia Police Department Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) is hosting and competing against several Crisis Negotiation Teams from throughout the state and the Midwest in the 2016 Missouri Association of Crisis Negotiators Challenge. This is the first year the event has been held in Columbia.

The challenge is a unique opportunity for Crisis Negotiation Teams to experience the hands-on application of crisis negotiation skills. Scenarios will be given to the teams in the all-day event that are both challenging and timely topics. CPD's Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team is assisting as tactical liaisons to the Crisis Negotiation Teams. The event is being held at The Crossing Church, located at 3615 Southland Drive.

CPD's CNT was created in 1998, after formally being called the Hostage Negotiation Team (HNT) since the 70's. CNT responds to high-risk events such as hostage takings or barricaded subjects intent on committing suicide. There are several officers on the team. Two CNT members, Officer John Dye and Officer Candy Cornman, also serve on the state board since the Missouri Association of Crisis Negotiators was established in 2011. This past April, Officer Dye represented the state of Missouri at the National Council of Negotiator Associations meeting. Officer Dye will be available at today's event for further questions or interviews.