Crisis Negotiators Team
Front Row: (left to right) Sgt. Julie Grabofsky, Evidence
Technician Chris Stearns, Officer Eric Nevins, and Officer David Argitis.
Back Row; (Left to right) Officer Bill Stratis, Officer Dan
Knight, Officer Tim Farris, and Lt. Janine Roberts
The Portland Maine Police Department's Crisis Negotiators
Team (CNT) was established as a two-person unit in 1986. In the early 1990's it
was expanded to its current size of eight members, including one commander and
seven team members. All positions are part-time positions. Members' full time
assignments range from Patrol, Detective, Evidence Technician, Senior Lead
Officers, and Patrol Sergeant and Lieutenant. Collectively, the Team has over 55
years training and experience in crisis negotiations. On average, the CNT is
activated once or twice a year.
The CNT trains every month with a typical training day
consisting of presentations/discussions on current topics, role plays, and
equipment familiarization. Twice a year, the team conducts joint role play
training with the Special Reaction Team and Hazardous Devices Unit. In addition,
we regularly open up our training sessions to other negotiators in the region
allowing us to build strong relationships with our internal and external counter
parts.
Most of our Team members have a minimum of 5 years
experience in crisis negotiations, with two having over 15 years experience. Our
Team's cohesiveness has developed throughout the years as we have grown and
matured together; working, struggling, succeeding, and learning with and from
each other along the way.
Throughout the years, CNT members have responded to call
outs involving suicidal individuals, domestic crises, high risk search warrants,
and barricaded suspects. To date, all incidents have been successfully resolved
without further injury to the citizen or officers.
As we look towards the future, the Team plans to continue
to improve our negotiations skills with consistent training on modern standards
and practice of active listening skills; increase our equipment list with
updated technology and safety equipment; further develop strong relationships
with are negotiators and other public safety counterparts; and, be leaders
within the Crisis Negotiations field throughout the state of Maine.
