NCJ Number
49370
Date Published
1976
Length
26 pages
Annotation
PANELISTS' REPORTS AND A SESSION SYNTHESIS TREAT THE OPERATIONS INVOLVED IN AN IMMEDIATE RESPONSE TO A HOSTAGE SITUATION.
Abstract
ONE PANELIST'S REPORT DEALS WITH THE FOLLOWING RESPONSE MECHANISMS FOR A HOSTAGE-TAKING SITUATION: THE NEED FOR INFORMATION; AN ALERT SYSTEM; FIELD LEVEL OPERATIONS; PROCEDURES FOR A LONG SIEGE; AND THE NEWS MEDIA. A SECOND REPORT EMPHASIZES THAT RESPONSE MUST GROW FROM A PREDETERMINED SET OF PRIORITIES OF VALUES TO BE PROTECTED. IT IS FURTHER INDICATED THAT ALL MEASURES DESIGNED TO COUNTER THE HOSTAGE-TAKING TACTIC SHOULD AIM AT PLACING THE HOSTAGE-TAKER IN A POSITION WHERE HE MAY SEE THE COST OF THE ALTERNATIVES AVAILABLE TO HIM. IN THIS REGARD, IT IS IMPORTANT TO IMPRESS UPON HIM THAT KILLING THE HOSTAGE WILL ELIMINATE BOTH HIS BARGAINING POWER AND PROTECTION. THOSE OPPOSING THE HOSTAGE-TAKER SHOULD ADDITIONALLY AIM TO WREST THE INITIATIVE FROM HIM, WHICH MAY TAKE THE FORM OF AN IMMEDIATE, FORCEFUL RESPONSE DESIGNED TO DENY THE PERPETRATOR THE ADVANTAGES THAT ANY CONSOLIDATION OF HIS POSITION MIGHT AFFORD HIM. A THIRD PANELIST'S REPORT GIVES ATTENTION TO THE FOLLOWING OPERATIONS IN RESPONDING TO A HOSTAGE-TAKING SITUATION: TRAINED PATROL OFFICERS; PLAN OF CONTAINMENT AND EVACUATION TO ISOLATE THE PERPETRATOR AND HOSTAGES; PLAN OF COMMAND POST WITH NECESSARY PERSONNEL AND EQUIPMENT; AND ESTABLISHING PRELIMINARY COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE PERPETRATOR. THE SESSION SYNTHESIS INDICATES THAT SOME OF THE ISSUES RAISED DURING THE INITIAL DISCUSSION PERIOD DEALT WITH THE PROBLEM OF JURISDICTION, THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT, THE TERRORISM RESEARCH AND MANAGEMENT STAFF CONCEPT, THE PROBLEM OF INTELLIGENCE AND INFORMATION EXCHANGE, THE ISSUE OF WHO FIRST RESPONDS TO A HOSTAGE INCIDENT, AND THE QUESTION OF PAYMENT OF RANSOMS. THE SECOND PHASE OF DISCUSSIONS FOCUSES ON THE PLACE OF NEGOTIATIONS IN CONTINGENCY PLANS. NEGOTIATION IS VIEWED AS BUT ONE MANAGEMENT TOOL TO BE EMPLOYED ACCORDING TO THE CHARACTERISTICS OF EACH SETTING. (RCB)