Left to right -
HPD Captain David Williams, Greg Walker, Esq., ARM, CPP, and HPD Officer Lt. Robert D. Cain

In 1977 the Houston Police Department laid the foundation for establishing the Hostage Negotiation Team (HNT) to respond to hostage taking and barricaded suspect situations. Then Officer Robert Cain was selected for training, and as an original member, was involved in writing the first departmental policy. He continued as a volunteer hostage negotiator as he promoted to the ranks of Detective and later, Lieutenant. In continuing with his volunteer work, he assumed the role of volunteer coordinator and later, as the first full-time coordinator of the HNT.

Since that time, Lieutenant Cain has achieved many firsts that include lobbying for a legislative bill allowing law enforcement officers to take control of telephone lines during a hostage-taking or barricaded suspect situation. He also designed and acquired the first mobile command post specifically for HNT operations that received local, national and international attention. While other hostage negotiation teams throughout the country have continued to use the traditional methods and approaches, Lieutenant Cain has pioneered new and innovative methods in dealing with these highly volatile situations. Because of his initiative and dedication, the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Southwestern Bell Company; the United Kingdom National Negotiators; and numerous law enforcement agencies have sought him for lectures, training and assistance with experimental use of portable hostage phones. Lieutenant Cain has brought honor and recognition to himself, and by his work, put the spotlight on the Houston Police Department for having dedicated leadership.