007 of 2021 - Applauding the work of the Salt Lake City Police Department Hostage Negotiation Team and Director JeJOINT RESOLUTION APPLAUDING THE WORK OF
THE SALT LAKE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT HOSTAGE NEGOTIATION
TEAM AND DIRECTOR JESSICA WATERS
WHEREAS, the members of the Salt Lake City Police Department (SLCPD) are regularly
called upon when residents’ lives are endangered; and
WHEREAS, SLCPD has a highly trained Hostage Negotiation Team (HNT), composed of
officers who are specifically tasked with responding to dynamic hostage
situations; and
WHEREAS, the HNT works directly with people in crisis who are greatly distressed; and
WHEREAS, the HNT currently includes the following officers: Lt. Derek Dimond, Sgt.
Mason Givens, Sgt. Scott Hall, Social Worker Jessica Waters, Det. Joseph
Taylor, Det. Marie Stewart, Det. Josh Harris, Det. Matt Voorhees, and Det.
Dave Sonntag; and
WHEREAS, the SLCPD has prioritized responding appropriately to those with mental health
struggles by establishing the Community Connection Center, a valuable City
resource that aims to provide a safe environment for people to access
individualized care, support, community resources, and an alternative to a law-
enforcement-only response to crisis; and
WHEREAS, Jessica Waters serves as the director of the SLCPD’s Community Connection
Center and leads a team of social workers who work directly with the public;
and
WHEREAS, as a trained social worker, Director Waters has vast expertise working with
people experiencing life challenges and mental health crises; and
WHEREAS, Director Waters recently furthered her education and added depth to the
SLCPD’s HNT by becoming trained as a negotiator; and
WHEREAS, on the evening of Friday, January 22, 2021, a dangerous situation occurred in
Salt Lake City involving an armed individual barricaded in a home with his
young children; and
WHEREAS, the SLCPD’s HNT swiftly responded to assist and protect the innocent lives
inside and relied upon their professional judgment by requesting assistance
from Director Waters, as the individual expressed his distrust in police officers;
and
WHEREAS, Director Waters exhibited bravery, compassion, and patience in communicating
with the agitated individual; and
WHEREAS, Director Waters and her SLCPD colleagues worked together throughout the
negotiation; and
WHEREAS, Director Waters and the HNT were able to successfully diffuse the potentially
violent situation, resulting in a positive outcome for the victims and the on-site
first responders.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,
that Salt Lake City expresses deep appreciation for the entire Hostage
Negotiation Team and particularly Director Waters for their dedicated work,
committed compassion, and successful de-escalation during a highly stressful
situation, ensuring the safety and well-being of Salt Lake City’s residents.
Adopted this _____ day of February 2021
________________________ _________________________
Erin Mendenhall Amy Fowler, Chair
Salt Lake City Mayor Salt Lake City Council Member, District Seven
_________________________ ____________________________
James Rogers, Vice Chair Andrew Johnston
Salt Lake City Council Member, District One Salt Lake City Council Member, District Two
___________________________ ____________________________
Chris Wharton Ana Valdemoros
Salt Lake City Council Member, District Three Salt Lake City Council Member, District Four
___________________________ ____________________________
Darin Mano Dan Dugan
Salt Lake City Council Member, District Five Salt Lake City Council Member, District Six