It's most public deployment was in February 1998 when an individual armed with a bomb entered the Mecklenburg County Civil Courthouse and threatened to discharge his homemade device. The unit's officers successfully negotiated with the individual who gave himself up after several hours. The unit is made up of 12 officers. Each has received basic and advanced negotiator training as well as in-service training throughout the year such as specialized schools, seminars and symposiums. The Crisis Negotiations Unit consists of two five-member teams, headed by a sergeant.
All training consists of potential real-life scenarios and role playing.
Scenario training is targeted toward operational situations for which the Sheriff's Office is responsible including the jails, court security and field operations. The Crisis Negotiations Unit is commanded by Captain S.C. Zerfoss.