Crisis Response Team

Incident Command

Assistant Chief Eddie Sheffield
Contact: (903) 535-0125

This position oversees the Tyler Police Department’s Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) and the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Unit.

CNT is a specially trained group that works to achieve a safe conclusion for special-threat situations. The team maintains a 24-hour on-call status for emergency incidents involving suicidal threats, barricaded subjects, and hostage situations. They work and train closely with SWAT personnel and respond to critical incidents to provide specialized capabilities and equipment. The primary goal of CNT is to bring these types of situations to a peaceful resolution, thereby reducing loss of life and/or harm to citizens and department personnel. CNT is a 10-person unit comprised of sworn and non-sworn personnel who receive training at the state and national levels. They are well-equipped, well-trained, and very experienced – having been recognized statewide for their expertise.

The SWAT unit comprises 20 team members. The team structure is as follows: one Team Commander, one Entry Team Leader, one Perimeter Team leader, five Entry Team Members, five Perimeter Team Members, three Counter Snipers, three Tactical Medics, and one Trauma Doctor.