NCJ Number
187368
Journal
Journal of Police Crisis Negotiations Volume: 1 Issue: 1 Dated: 2001 Pages: 69-82
Editor(s)
James L. Greenstone Ed.D.
Date Published
2001
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This article looks at crisis management in law enforcement’s response to terrorism.
Abstract
The deadly nature of terrorism whether treating an isolated hostage taking or a full-scale, multi-faceted, terrorist attack upon a society, the same principles of risk assessment hold true. All the rest is a matter of implementation. Managing crises provoked by terrorists involves a blend of anticipation, preparation, organization, and application. Success depends upon the ability to deny the terrorists their customary advantages of surprise and initiative. Preparation is identified as paramount. A crisis management team, to have any value, must materialize as an effective, working entity and must train to function as it will have to do if it is ever tested in a real terrorist activity. Realistic training of personnel involved in crisis management must incorporate the fact that terrorist acts do not occur at the most convenient times. Programs should be designed to replicate the inconveniences, the tensions, and the fear. The simple rule in responding to all terrorist acts is that there are no simple rules. The elements of this kind of crisis management are flexibility and the ability to adapt to fast changing situations. Law enforcement agencies need to learn as much as possible about contemporary terrorism.