Every day, NOPD Sgt. Robert Hickman helps protect the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority employees and the millions of passengers that utilize the transportation system. However, he also has a vital role as part of the New Orleans Police Department's SWAT Unit.
Sgt. Hickman is also tasked with leading a team of five Crisis Negotiators under the Special Operations Division. Hickman and his team of crisis negotiators use specialized skills to communicate with barricaded subjects and, at times, hostage-takers.
Hickman joined NOPD in 1989. After about 8 years, he joined the NOPD's S.W.A.T Unit and eventually developed in interest in becoming a negotiator. As the lead crisis and hostage negotiator, Hickman has been been trained by the Louisiana State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). He is also a member of the Louisiana Association of Crisis Negotiators (LACN).