Crisis Negotiation Team Policy
Integration of Behavioral Health Advisors
Standards and Best Practices for Crisis Negotiation Teams
Board for Advocacy, Standards and Excellence (BASE) Project
The NTOA is pleased to announce the release of the Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) Policy, which sets best-practice standards for integrating Behavioral Health Advisors (BHAs) into CNT operations. This focused policy affirms a department’s commitment to the safe resolution of critical incidents through communication, de-escalation, and the preservation of life. Recognizing crisis negotiations as a core public-safety function, the policy emphasizes structured communication, behavioral insight, and coordinated decision-making in high-risk conditions.
Understanding the CNT Policy
When properly selected, trained, and deployed, BHAs strengthen negotiation strategy by providing behavioral analysis, communication guidance, and risk-informed consultation to command and negotiators, while maintaining a clear, non-clinical advisory role. This integration enhances operational effectiveness, supports ethical and legally sound decision-making, and improves outcomes for persons in crisis, victims, responders, and the community.
In addition, the policy provides clear guidance on role definitions, authority, information sharing, and legal safeguards, and outlines standards for selection, vetting, training, deployment, supervision, and accountability. Designed for law enforcement leaders, CNT personnel, and risk management professionals, it offers a practical framework for agencies seeking to formalize or strengthen behavioral health integration in crisis negotiation operations.
This document marks a major step forward for the crisis negotiation profession. It moves teams toward a more modern, collaborative, and informed response model while maintaining the core principles of negotiation, command structure, and operational discipline. The NTOA looks forward to offering workshops and training opportunities to help agencies integrate Behavioral Health Advisors into their Crisis Negotiation Teams, using this policy as a foundation and guide.
Core Principles
Preservation of life through communication and de-escalation
Clear separation between operational advisory roles and clinical treatment
Unified command and disciplined information flow
Accountability through training, documentation, and review
Ethical, lawful, and role-appropriate use of behavioral expertise
Common Questions about CNT Policy
Explore answers to the most common questions about the CNT policy to enhance your understanding and application.
What is the CNT policy?
The CNT policy is a comprehensive guideline designed to enhance negotiation tactics and strategies for law enforcement officers.
Who should follow the CNT policy guidelines?
All law enforcement professionals, especially those involved in crisis negotiation teams, should adhere to the CNT policy guidelines.
How does the CNT policy improve negotiation outcomes?
By providing structured approaches and proven techniques, the CNT policy helps officers achieve more successful resolutions in crisis situations.