El Paso County Sheriff's Office Hosts NTOA Crisis Negotiations Course

Apr 5, 2024 - 10:30am

Last week, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office hosted the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) Basic Crisis Negotiations Course in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The NTOA Basic Crisis Negotiations course is one of the requirements before a negotiator may work as the primary negotiator on any critical incident by industry standards. Crisis Negotiators have a crucial role during critical incidents and communication techniques to reduce the chances of injury or death during events such as armed standoffs, suicide attempts, hostage situations, kidnappings, and hijackings.

“I am excited the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office could host this prestigious, nationally recognized training course,” said El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal. “My Office is dedicated to a regional partnership approach when it comes to training. Opportunities such as this one help us to broaden our scope, improve best practices, and create nationwide working relationships. Our mission to reduce victims and hold criminals accountable in El Paso County requires our deputies to train constantly and be up to date on the latest industry standards. This is why opportunities to train with professional organizations, such as the NTOA, are an incredible asset in accomplishing our goals. Thank you to NTOA instructors Stu Cole, and Jeff Caudill for sharing their expertise, and to all the participants, for choosing the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office as your host.”

“On behalf of myself, and the NTOA, I thank Sheriff Roybal, Lieutenant Jason Jess, Sergeant Katie Otto, and the rest of his amazing team at the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office,” said National Tactical Officers Association Instructor Jeff Caudell. “EPSO provided our students with ample training space, experienced instructors, media services, and a variety of training apparatuses and scenarios. We were able to allow 35 students to experience a real-life negotiations operational center, and give them practice with robots, and tactical vehicles. I hope to continue to grow the robust alliance NTOA shares with El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, and look forward to instructing additional, advanced courses with them, as well.”

The week-long, hands-on class had representation from across the nation, hosting the following law enforcement agencies:

-Littleton Police Department

-Commerce City Police Department

-Colorado Springs Police Department

-Spokane Police Department (Washington)

-Summit County Sheriff’s Office

-Moffat County Sheriff’s Office

-Fountain Police Department,

-Beverly Hills Police Department

-Yellowstone National Park Service

-Grand Junction Police Department

-Arvada Police Department