NCJ Number
56839
Journal
Canadian Police College Journal Volume: 3 Issue: 1 Dated: (1979) Pages: 44-54
Date Published
1979
Length
11 pages
Annotation
DIRECTED TOWARD CANADIAN POLICE, THIS ARTICLE DESCRIBES THE PROBLEM OF TERRORISM, PARTICULARLY HOSTAGE TAKING, AND RECOMMENDS COST-EFFECTIVE COUNTERMEASURES.
Abstract
THE GLOBAL INCIDENCE OF TERROR, KIDNAPPING, AND HOSTAGE TAKING HAS RISEN SINCE 1968. HOSTAGE TAKING NOW OCCURS DURING PRISON TAKEOVERS AND AIRCRAFT HIJACKING, TO VICTIMS WHO ARE WEALTHY OR IMPORTANT, AND AS A MEANS TO AID ARMED ROBBERS' ESCAPES OR MENTALLY UNBALANCED CITIZENS' DESIRE FOR PUBLICITY. ALTHOUGH THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY CANNOT AGREE ON ITS CAUSES OR CONTROL, TERRORISM'S CHARACTERISTICS CAN BE DEFINED AS VIOLENCE AS PERSUASION, SELECTION OF VICTIMS ALLOWING MAXIMUM PUBLICITY, SURPRISE, MAINTENANCE OF PUBLIC FEAR, AND THE EXCLUSIVE GROUP LOYALTY OF PERPETRATORS. TERRORISTS MAY BE PROFESSIONAL CRIMINALS, PSYCHOTICS, OR REBELS CLAIMING TO SEEK SOCIAL JUSTICE. STUDIES OF HOSTAGE TAKERS IN PRISONS REVEAL THAT THEY ARE YOUNG, POORLY EDUCATED, HAVE INADEQUATE PERSONALITIES, LOW INTELLIGENCE, VIOLENT PRISON RECORDS, AND INADEQUATE FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS. THE THREE ACCEPTABLE CONCLUSIONS TO HOSTAGE TAKINGS OCCUR WHEN CAPTORS REALIZE THE FUTILITY OF THEIR ACTIONS, HOSTAGES EFFECT THEIR OWN RELEASE, OR HOSTAGES ARE RESCUED AND CAPTORS APPREHENDED. TECHNIQUES SUCCESSFUL IN HOSTAGE-TAKING EVENTS REQUIRE THE COORDINATED WORK OF TEAMS OF TRAINED PEOPLE AND GREAT PATIENCE UNDER CAPTOR ABUSE. RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE ESTABLISHING BANKS OF INFORMATION ON HOSTAGE-TAKING SITUATIONS, STARTING TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR POLICE OR OTHERS STRESSING A COORDINATE RESPONSE, AND FURTHER STUDY OF HOSTAGE TAKERS. REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (PAP)