Inside the Crisis Response Team

When emergencies strike, the response must be swift, skilled and strategic. That is especially true in a correctional environment. At the heart of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s Crisis Response Team (CRT) is a group of highly trained professionals who specialize in tactical operations and crisis negotiation.

Brian Sifford, state commander for the TDCJ Crisis Response Team.

Christopher Helmig, Training Sergeant and Region II Tactical Response Team (TRT) lead over Region II, began his career with TDCJ in 2016. He came to the agency looking for the same sense of camaraderie and family he was familiar with from being in the Army. In 2022, when he was given the opportunity to join the newly formed CRT, he jumped at the chance.

Potential team members undergo 240 hours of rigorous training, including physical conditioning, tactical scenarios, riot response and crisis negotiation.

“We identified a need for niche skill sets in tactics and negotiation,” Helmig said. “Whether it’s managing high-profile inmates, responding to riots or de-escalating a crisis, our team is trained and ready to act.”

There are two sides to the Crisis Response Team: the Tactical Response Team and the Crisis Negotiation Team.

While commonly referred to as hostage negotiators, the more accurate term is crisis negotiators.

“A crisis doesn’t always involve a hostage. It could be any emotionally charged situation, even something that may seem small to others – like the death of a pet – but is life-altering to the individual involved,” Helmig said.

The negotiation team is trained in de-escalation techniques, psychological insight and effective communication, which can defuse a highly charged encounter and negate the need for a tactical response. They are not only deployed during emergencies but are also involved in training presentations across the agency, helping staff better manage tense encounters.

Brian Sifford, the state commander for the Crisis Response Team said, “The long-term goal is to have 72 tactical members and 36 crisis negotiators, distributed regionally across the state.”

Each region will have 12 tactical officers and six crisis negotiators, with local team leads overseeing readiness and training.

Before reaching the state level, team prospects train extensively with their regional teams. Once they demonstrate consistent proficiency in core skill sets, such as riot formations, hostage negotiation and command presence, they are recommended for participation in state-level events.

Importantly, all team members, not only the designated leads, are trained to step into leadership roles when necessary.

Sifford noted, “We want everyone to be capable of taking command if the situation demands it, but at the same time, they have to be able to step back from their role as a leader and become a follower.”

The team is coached to understand that decision-making in high-stress environments isn’t black and white. Whether it’s choosing a chemical agent or selecting words or tone during a negotiation, context is everything.

“We purposely don’t train them on what they should or should not do in a particular situation,” Sifford said.

CRT members are taught that each event is unique and that critical thinking skills are highly valued.

“Say we tell them to avoid mentioning someone’s mother because it’s a known trigger, but what if, in a real situation, mentioning their mother builds rapport with the hostage taker? Then it becomes a tool,” Sifford said. “So, we train them to think critically, not just follow scripts.”

The team has gained recognition beyond state borders, particularly through participation in the annual Mock Prison Riot event in Moundsville, West Virginia, a global showcase of emergency response capabilities.

Christopher Helmig (left) and Tshiamala Yongo scan the edge of a woodline during a training scenario, looking for a role player simulating an inmate on the run. In the back seat passenger side is Scott Kruszewski.

This event attracts teams from around the world, including countries like Colombia and Senegal. The TDCJ CRT has competed twice, placing seventeenth in their first year and an impressive ninth in their most recent showing.

Three of the current negotiators are now Level 3 certified, enabling them to handle a wide range of crisis situations from managing inmate disturbances to resolving hostage scenarios. This training also qualifies them to certify Level 1 and 2 negotiators.

In addition to tactical events, the mock prison riot has begun expanding to include negotiations competitions, and Texas’s Level 3 negotiators have been invited to help facilitate training next year.

Having hand-picked most of the members on his team, Helmig said, “When someone expresses interest in joining the team, I always ask them one question, ‘Why do you want to be here?’”

The correct response can be almost anything as long as it’s rooted in passion, commitment and perseverance.

“I look for perseverance. You have to be able to push your body to the limit – beyond what you believed it could go – and then give a little bit more. If you can’t, the reality is it could be a life and death decision.”

Helmig wants to see enthusiasm and alignment with the team’s mission. He emphasizes that team members often train and work beyond normal hours, investing significant time into readiness. He said, “We don’t stop at the end of the day. This team is on our minds 24/7.”

While the team trains in extreme scenarios, the ultimate goal is to never be deployed, “If I never have to go in for a hostage rescue that I’ve trained my entire career for, that’s success!”

If you’re a correctional professional interested in joining the CRT, experience within a facility and a willingness to be coached are key. CRT is not just a badge; it’s a commitment to tactical excellence, professional growth and saving lives under pressure.

If you are interested in joining the Crisis Response Team, contact your warden.