Sacramento Police Department
Hostage Negotiation Team

THE TEAM
ABOUT US
TRAINING
AFFILIATIONS
CONTACT

Lieutenant Gary Gregson, Commander

Hostage Negotiation Team Members

  • Sergeant Larry Chavez
  • Sergeant Tim Hunter
  • Sergeant Doug Voska
  • Officer Ben Louie
  • Officer Jim Scully
  • Detective Carrie Quinn

  • Sergeant Kent Thorpe
  • Sergeant Victor Sanchez
  • Sergeant Sam Azevedo
  • Detective Darlene Killip
  • Officer Ben Gomez
  • Officer Laura Berkhimer
ABOUT US
The Sacramento Police Department, like many other departments across the country, began to explore the concept of crisis negotiation in the late 70's. Formal training was in its early stages. The few team members we had at the time were chosen for their "people" skills and their ability to solve problems as they relate to crisis intervention.

Since that time, however, formal training in crisis negotiation intervention has become the norm and formal selection procedures for new members has been instituted. The team handles three kinds of incidents:
  • Hostage situations,
  • Barricaded subjects and
  • Suicidal subjects

The expertise of our Team has resulted in the peaceful resolution of some of the most volatile situations encountered by the Sacramento Police Department.

Like many other teams of its kind across the country, funding was not allotted for the team. In order to purchase equipment and training, the team conducted training for other public and private sector organizations. The funds paid for our own equipment and training.

TRAINING WE HAVE CONDUCTED
The Team, using the expertise of its own members conducted training in such subjects as:

  • First responders training
  • Defusing hostile people
  • Domestic violence awareness
  • Business and personal safety

The Team continues to conduct training as a means of self-funding. Arrangements to obtain our training can be made by contacting the Team Commander, Lieutenant Gary Gregson.

THE TEAM
ABOUT US
TRAINING
AFFILIATIONS
CONTACT
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