On August 8, 2024, the Tri-City Regional SWAT team responded to a hostage situation where the suspect was holding his wife hostage when law enforcement attempted to arrest him for Child Molestation. During the five-hour incident, CNT was never able to speak directly to the hostage-taker and could only communicate with the hostage via text. This form of communication was challenging because the hostage was hiding the fact that she was talking to law enforcement.

In any SWAT operation, information is essential for tactical decision-making. Text communication proved difficult for CNT to obtain and verify the information passed to SWAT on the ground, which was necessary for making decisions to resolve the incident. Tri-City Regional SWAT uses an integrated CNT system, meaning all SWAT officers are trained as negotiators. Presenters will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this structure and how it played a key role in this incident. Topics such as the flow of information and vetting challenging information will be covered. The procedures and strategies used throughout this incident will be detailed.

Jeremy Taylor began his law enforcement career in 2007 with the Kennewick Police Department in Washington State, where he currently serves as a Sergeant on the Criminal Apprehension Team. In 2009, he was selected to the Tri-City Regional SWAT team and is now the Team Commander. Jeremy has led hundreds of SWAT operations and has been involved in numerous critical incidents as a supervisor in both Patrol and SWAT. As the primary use-of-force instructor for his agency and the SWAT team, Jeremy holds instructor certifications in various topics. From 2012 to 2022, he instructed at both Basic and Advanced SWAT schools in Washington State and served on the board of directors for the Washington State Tactical Officers Association (WSTOA), where he held the positions of Director of Training, Vice President, and President. Jeremy has been selected twice for the National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) Tactical Response and Operations Standards Committee.