HOSTAGES - TACTICS AND NEGOTIATION TECHNIQUES - STATE OF THE ART (FROM INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY CORRECTIONS AND THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES, 12TH ANNUAL INTERAGENCY WORKSHOP - PROCEEDINGS, 1977 - SEE NCJ-50660)

• NCJ Number: 50676
• Author(s): R W KOBETZ
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 4 pages
• Corporate Author: Sam Houston State University
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

VARIOUS TYPES OF HOSTAGE-TAKING SITUATIONS ARE DESCRIBED, AND A GENERAL STRATEGY OF APPROACH, INCLUDING ALTERNATIVE AND COMBINATION RESPONSES, IS DESCRIBED.

Abstract

THE GENERAL STRATEGY OF APPROACH DISCUSSED IS CONSIDERED TO APPLY TO ANY SITUATION WHERE AN INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP, FOR WHATEVER REASON, HAS TAKEN HOSTAGES FOR THE PURPOSE OF GAINING AN ADVANTAGE FROM A THIRD PARTY. IT IS NOTED THAT HOSTAGE-TAKING BY TERRORISTS POSES THE MOST DIFFICULT SITUATION BECAUSE OF THE PREMEDITATED PLANNING INVOLVED IN THE STRUCTURING OF THE SITUATION BY THE HOSTAGE-TAKERS. THE FIRST ACTION IN THE STRATEGY PROPOSED IS THE CONTAINMENT OF THE HOSTAGE-TAKING OPERATION, WHICH INVOLVES ISOLATING THE HOSTAGE-TAKER ALONG WITH THE HOSTAGES, SUCH THAT THE PROBLEM CANNOT BECOME MORE SERIOUS. SHOULD IT BECOME OBVIOUS THAT THE SITUATION IS GOING TO BE LONG TERM, AS IS THE CASE WITH MOST TERRORIST OPERATIONS, A COMMAND POST SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED WITH ONE PERSON IN CHARGE OF ALL OPERATIONS AND AN INFORMATION OFFICER ON HAND TO DEAL WITH THE MEDIA. PERSONNEL WHO HAVE RECEIVED PREPARATORY TRAINING FOR HOSTAGE-TAKING SITUATIONS WILL BE INSTRUCTED AS TO THE PARTICULAR ACTION THEY ARE TO TAKE IN A GIVEN SITUATION. A HOSTAGE-TAKING INCIDENT PERCEIVED TO BE AN ILL-CONCEIVED SHORT TERM AFFAIR MAY BE RESOLVED BY SHOWING AN IMPENETRABLE AND DEADLY DEGREE OF FIRE POWER FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL, COUPLED WITH AN APPEAL FOR THE HOSTAGE-TAKER TO SURRENDER IN ORDER TO SAVE HIS LIFE. AN ONGOING, WELL-PLANNED INCIDENT WILL NORMALLY REQUIRE NEGOTIATION AS THE INITIAL STEP. A TRAINED NEGOTIATOR SHOULD BE USED TO ESTABLISH CONTACT WITH THE HOSTAGE-TAKER. THE STRATEGY OF THE NEGOTIATOR SHOULD BE TO INFLUENCE THE HOSTAGE-TAKER TO REALIZE THAT NEGOTIATION IS THE ONLY VIABLE ALTERNATIVE TO END THE INCIDENT AND THAT SURRENDER AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE CONSEQUENCES IS THE ONLY WAY FOR HIM TO ESCAPE ALIVE. SHOULD THE FIRST NEGOTIATOR NOT BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH THE HOSTAGE-TAKER, MORE SUITABLE BACKUP NEGOTIATORS SHOULD BE READY. SNIPERS WITH TELESCOPIC SIGHTS PREPARED TO SHOOT THE HOSTAGE-TAKER, THE USE OF CHEMICAL AGENTS TO DRIVE ALL PARTIES FROM THE PROTECTED FACILITY, AND FULL-SCALE ASSAULT ON THE HOSTAGE-TAKER ARE DESCRIBED AS ALTERNATIVES, AND THEIR LIMITATIONS AND CONDITIONS FOR USE ARE INDICATED. IT IS NOTED THAT NEGOTIATION CAN HARDLY PROCEED AFTER THE AGGRESSIVE ALTERNATIVES HAVE BEEN EMPLOYED. PRIORITY OBJECTIVES ARE ALSO DISCUSSED. (RCB)