The Pharr Police Department has an established Crisis Negotiations Team.  The goal in our team’s response is to peacefully resolve critical incidents.  We represent a commitment to strategies and tactics which reduce the chance of Police officers, citizens, and even the actor getting hurt or killed. Crisis Negotiators have to develop and maintain precise skills, knowledge, and training to be able to manage conflict in ways that will reduce tension, aggression, and violence.  Each Crisis Negotiator undergoes intensified training and must become certified. Sophisticated technical equipment is used by the team during incidents. Every critical incident is different and Crisis Negotiators are always prepared to respond to any situation that has exceeded normal patrol capabilities. There are only a few chosen Crisis Negotiators who form this specialized cross-trained team.  So each member is special and ready to play any important role the team needs.

Qualifications:  The officer must possess excellent communications skills.  He must be able to undergo and pass testing to classify actor’s personalities in critical incidents.  The officer must have at least two years of service with the Pharr Police Department. Each candidate will have an intense background report formed with qualifications.  Officers will be tested by an oral review board, written essay, and classroom hours. The officers must pass practical situations that are closely monitored and scored while the officer is placed under stress.  The officer upon completion of a Basic Crisis Negotiator’s course must pass an Advance Crisis Negotiator’s Course within one year and then; train no less than 40 hours per year thereafter.

The Pharr Police Department’s Crisis Negotiations Team has been instrumental in successfully resolving numerous critical incidents.  The Team trains and works with other area Negotiators, such as F.B.I. Agent Negotiators. Crisis Negotiators are called upon in response to critical incidents and work alongside the Department’s Special Weapons and Tactics (S.W.A.T.) Team.