The training consists of a live-in three-and-a-half-week CIB Selection and Induction Course at the Royal New Zealand Police College.

Detectives who work on these squads routinely carry out protracted investigations into organized groups or individuals who habitually commit crimes.

They interview witnesses and gather physical evidence to piece together a case that leads to the offender being identified.

The unit also collects and analyses potential threats to New Zealand and visiting government politicians and officials.

Nationwide, there are 17 Police Negotiation teams, with each Armed Offender Squad (AOS) having a dedicated PNT attached to it.

Similar to the AOS units themselves, the negotiators are all part-time volunteers drawn from the ranks of the front line police.

As well as deploying to armed incidents with the AOS, they will also act as an independent unit and speak with suicidal people, offenders who have barricaded themselves in buildings, prison rioters, and kidnappers.