Crisis Negotiations Unit

The Crisis Negotiations Unit consists of specially trained officers who are prepared to deal with people who are typically in crisis and have taken someone hostage or have barricaded themselves within a building or similar setting. This can be a preplanned event where the hostage is used as leverage to get something such as money or, as more commonly seen, a situation occurs that puts a person into crisis causing them to take specific actions unplanned and spontaneous.

The negotiation process is conducted by a team of officers, each having a specific role. Although the negotiation process is not tactical in nature, careful planning and strategies are coordinated with tactical units, such as the Special Response Team, in the event they are needed. Negotiators are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Contact Info

Commanding Officer: Lieutenant Steven Donahue, 617-349-9364

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Hours of Service

Monday: 8:30am-8pm
Tuesday-Thursday: 8:30am-5pm
Friday: 8:30am-12pm

Cambridge Police Department

Branville G. Bard, Jr.
Police Commissioner

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125 Sixth Street
Cambridge MA 02142
Phone:617.349.3300