SBSO Crisis Negotiations

Crisis Negotiation Team

The Sheriff’s Department’s Crisis Negotiation Team consists of seven members: Sgt. Kristy De Blaey (Team Leader), Cpl. James Gottsacker, Detective Mark Mancl, Deputy Tom Benning, Deputy Jay Joosse, Deputy Gary Zajikowski, Deputy Steven Wimmer, Deputy Timothy Putz, and Detective Corey Norlander. Each of them has received advanced levels of training through the FBI’s Crisis Negotiation Team and, in some cases, specialized training in the handling of mentally ill persons.

Crisis negotiators are trained to communicate with barricaded subjects, suicidal subjects, hostage takers, etc, in an effort to de-escalate/diffuse a situation. Crisis negotiators focus on bringing resolution to a high risk incident through communication/negotiation, rather than the use of force. This minimizes the risk of injury or death to officers, suspects, hostages, and the public at large. Negotiators work in conjunction with the SWAT team at high risk incidents and are under the supervision of the OIC (officer in charge).

The Sheriff’s Department’s Crisis Negotiation Team primarily serves Sheboygan County, but may be called to assist other agencies, where necessary, under mutual aid.