NCJ Number
130378
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 57 Issue: 11 Dated: (November 1990) Pages: 52-57
Date Published
1990
Length
6 pages
Annotation
On the basis of a realistic training exercise for the hostage negotiation and tactical teams of the Minneapolis Office of the FBI and the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport police Department, a comprehensive approach to hostage negotiation training is outlined.
Abstract
The first step in simulation training for negotiators is to create a detailed training scenario with a particular training objective for the tactical team. Once the scenario is prepared, an identity, personality, clothing, weapons, and background are developed for the subjects, hostages, family members, and witnesses. Then individual scripts are written for the scenario. In the second step or selection and preparation of the site, the goal is to choose a site that is congruent with the scenario, but not necessarily identical. The training coordinator should inspect the site prior to the exercise to note any special restrictions. The third step is the selection and preparation of professional actors for the primary characters. An inside coordinator is critical to the effectiveness of actors. Throughout the planning and execution of the training exercise, attention to detail is imperative to replicate the organizational and social context of a hostage situation. The final step is debriefing after the event to review particular concerns and problems. 2 notes