MVPD's Critical Incident Operations Group (CIOG) maintains a state of readiness with capabilities to resolve incidents that are so hazardous, complex, or unusual, that they may exceed the capabilities of regular police officers.
CIOG includes three components: - Patrol officers (first responders)
- Crisis Negotiations Team (CNT)
- Special Weapons & Tactics (SWAT)
CIOG responds to critical incidents, such as barricaded suspects, high-risk apprehensions, hostage incidents, active shooters, demonstrations and riots. Though these situations are fortunately rare in Mountain View, our preparedness assures us the ability to respond quickly and appropriately if and when they do occur.
CIOG is also at the forefront of homeland security planning and preparedness. In the event of a terrorist incident, including those involving weapons of mass destruction, MVPD is prepared to respond with the support of allied law enforcement agencies and other government organizations.
Patrol Response for Critical Incidents
Patrol officers are the first responders to most critical incidents. SWAT operators proactively train all officers in active-shooter response and a variety of less-lethal and lethal weapons. When needed, patrol officers can protect lives by neutralizing any active threat. When SWAT arrives at an incident, patrol officers provide initial intelligence, secure a perimeter, and support SWAT activities.
Sgt. Ted Rodgers, Crisis Negotiation Team operator.
Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT)
Although all police officers are trained to deal with a wide range of highly-charged incidents involving emotionally or mentally disturbed people, sometimes additional expertise is required. The Crisis Negotiation Team supports both patrol and SWAT when dealing with persons who are not communicating, refusing to communicate, or making demands. CNT operators are trained to resolve incidents through negotiation whenever possible. As in all police work, physical confrontation is always the last resort.
CNT is staffed by officers and other personnel who work regular full-time assignments when not responding to critical incidents. The team works and trains with Palo Alto Police Department's CNT, which provides both cities reduced training costs and increased availability of crisis negotiators.
CNT supplies highly-trained professionals during critical incidents in an attempt to preserve life and defuse volatile situations through negotiation. Besides calmly talking suspects out of a variety of dangerous situations, CNT operators: - Establish communication links
- Gather and disseminate useful information
- Develop psychological profiles
- Conduct witness debriefings
An interview panel screens all prospective team members for demeanor, ability to communicate, and ability to remain calm in difficult situations. Those selected must also pass a stringent psychological evaluation before joining CNT.
All CNT members receive FBI training in crisis and hostage negotiation, with ongoing training updates. Negotiators train regularly with SWAT so that each team is familiar with the capabilities and procedures of the other. Both teams hold large-scale training scenarios in concert with other regional teams.
Special Weapons & Tactics (SWAT)
The SWAT team is comprised of sworn personnel who work primary full-time assignments when not responding to SWAT incidents. SWAT works as a regional team with the Palo Alto and Los Altos Police Departments. MVPD SWAT averages five call-outs per year. Since its inception in 1989, the team has handled a variety of incidents, including hostage rescue, barricaded subjects, and high-risk apprehension and warrants. SWAT has also provided crowd control at labor and political demonstrations, and personal protection to visiting dignitaries, including supporting the United States Secret Service.
To join SWAT, officers must be off probation. The selection process includes a panel interview that assesses the candidate's skills, knowledge, and abilities to perform in a high stress and team environment. Applicants must also pass a challenging physical capabilities test which includes an obstacle course with running, pushups, a body drag, and pull-ups, while wearing weighted gear (typically 35 lbs of equipment). Team members must re-qualify bi-annually. A police psychologist performs psychological tests, ensuring that each SWAT officer is ready and able to perform in dangerous, high-stress and challenging critical incidents.
In addition to on-going officer training, each SWAT operator completes 80 hours of basic SWAT training, regular monthly SWAT training, and specialized tactics and weapons classes. In twice-annual scenario training, they practice by responding to staged incidents, using actors and force on force simunition training. |  | 
Recent CIOG Activities - Personal Protection Detail (President George W. Bush)
- High Risk Warrants
- Crowd Control Strike Team
- Barricaded Suspect (Assault with a Deadly Weapon)
- Arrest of Homicide Suspects
Mission
To provide a tactical response to critical incidents using developed skills, tactics, and specialized equipment and capabilities in order to manage those incidents with strategies that emphasize control, containment, resolution, and the protection of life and property.
Specialty Assignments - Crisis Negotiator
- Tactical Commander & Leader
- Tactical Dispatcher
- Breaching Specialist
- Rappel Master
- Medic
- Less-lethal Weapons Specialist
- Chemical Agents Specialist
- Snipers/Observers
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Mountain View Police Dept. S.W.A.T.