The Hostage Negotiations Team of the Lakeland Police Department was established in 1988. The mission of the Hostage Negotiations team is to defuse potentially life threatening situations through the use of proven verbal crisis management techniques.

The Hostage Negotiations Team responds to incidents involving suicidal, armed/barricaded and hostage holding individuals. In addition, their duties include not only negotiations but also establishing communication links, background information, and conducting witness debriefings. The Hostage Negotiations Team works in partnership with the S.W.A.T. Team who provide the tactical protection and response necessary to allow the negotiation process to occur.
 

The Hostage Negotiations Team is made up of 12 highly trained men and women who have all completed a basic 40 hour Negotiations course prior to being placed on the team. The team members train bi-monthly and they receive extensive training in negotiation techniques and communication skills. Their main goal is to defuse a situation and prevent hostile and/or deadly actions from escalating.

The Hostage Negotiations Team is a voluntary on-call unit and all team members have regular duty assignments. The men and women who make up the Hostage Negotiations Team have proven to be dedicated and hard working officers on the Lakeland Police Department. They are committed to ensuring a peaceful resolution to a crisis situation.