Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team & Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT)

Serving and Protecting with Precision, Patience, and Professionalism

The Pineville Police Department is proud to maintain both a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team and a Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT). These specialized units play a critical role in preserving life, restoring order, and resolving the most dangerous and complex incidents in our community.

SWAT Team

The SWAT Team is a group of highly trained officers equipped and prepared to handle high-risk operations that go beyond the capabilities of standard patrol units. These include:

  • Hostage situations

  • Barricaded suspects

  • High-risk warrant service

  • Active shooter incidents

  • Dignitary protection

SWAT officers are trained in tactical entry, precision marksmanship, close-quarters combat, and rapid response. Their presence ensures the department is ready to respond swiftly and decisively to threats that require a greater level of coordination, discipline, and specialized equipment.

Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT)

The Crisis Negotiation Team is composed of officers trained in de-escalation, communication, and behavioral psychology. Their mission is to bring about peaceful resolutions to volatile situations through dialogue and rapport-building. CNT is often called upon during:

  • Hostage crises

  • Barricaded individuals

  • Suicidal subjects

  • Emotionally disturbed persons in crisis

Negotiators work patiently to build trust, gather information, and offer alternatives to violence. Their tools are their voices, empathy, and tactical communication strategies.

A Unified Mission: Preservation of Life

While the SWAT Team and CNT have distinct roles, their ultimate objective is the same: to resolve dangerous situations safely and peacefully. These teams work closely together, each supporting the other with their unique skills and resources. Negotiators aim to resolve conflicts without force, while SWAT remains prepared to intervene when all other options have been exhausted.

Together, they embody the Pineville Police Department’s commitment to safeguarding life, upholding justice, and serving our community with integrity and professionalism, even in the most challenging circumstances.