During the week of July 22-26, 2024, the Azle ISD Police Department hosted a 40-hour hostage/crisis negotiation training course to educate officers in dealing with emergency situations involving hostage takers or barricaded subjects who may be experiencing a mental health crisis. Azle ISD Police Officer Ray Cannon instructed the training which was provided by the Texas Association of Hostage Negotiators (TAHN). TAHN represents police negotiators across the State of Texas and is the largest crisis negotiator organization in the U.S.
The training includes four days of classroom presentations and lectures. Attendees must successfully pass a written test recognized by both TAHN and the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE). The final day culminates in reality-based scenario training using role players as suspects/victims and experienced police negotiators as evaluators. Once officers complete all elements of the training course, they receive a certificate and may then act in the police negotiator capacity.
Police agencies in attendance included Azle ISD PD, Joshua PD, DFW Airport PD, Hutto PD, Marshall PD, Lindale PD, Oak Point PD, Celina PD, New Braunfels PD, Waller County SO, and Erath County SO.
Negotiator Training Course Instructed by Azle ISD PD Officer Ray Cannon
Azle ISD PD Officer Ray Cannon is a 26-year law enforcement veteran and is on the Board of Directors for the Texas Association of Hostage Negotiators (TAHN) serving as Region 8 Vice-President. Cannon is a TCOLE-certified police instructor, master peace officer, mental health officer, and crime prevention officer. He is currently assigned as the school resource officer (SRO) at Hoover Elementary School. Officer Cannon is a member of the Parker County Regional SWAT Crisis Negotiation Unit and NW Tarrant County Crisis Intervention Team (CIT).
This training is one example of how the Azle ISD Police Department not only provides ongoing quality training to our officers; but also demonstrates our efforts to develop positive relationships with our law enforcement partners for the betterment of the community.
For more information, contact Azle ISD Police Chief Darren Brockway at dbrockway@azleisd.net or (817) 270-1727.