NCJ Number
49379
Date Published
1976
Length
19 pages
Annotation
OBJECTIVES OF LAW ENFORCEMENT IN HOSTAGE-TAKING SITUATIONS, PRESS RELATIONS, ORGANIZATIONAL PROCEDURES, AND SPECIALIZED POLICE UNITS ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
IN CASES OF HOSTAGE-TAKING EXPECTED TO REACH AN IMPORTANT LEVEL OF IMPACT, IT IS CONSIDERED ESSENTIAL TO HAVE AN OPERATION CONTROL TEAM WITH A STAFF OF LEADERS AND A NUMBER OF WORKING GROUPS OR SPECIALIST TEAMS. BECAUSE OF PROBLEMS THAT CAN ARISE BECAUSE OF AGGRESSIVE PRESS PERSONNEL WHO MAY TRY TO PENETRATE ANY VEIL PLACED OVER INFORMATION ON A GIVEN HOSTAGE INCIDENT, IT IS SUGGESTED THAT A PRESS LIAISON OFFICER SPECIALLY COMMISSIONED BY THE OPERATION CONTROL TEAM GIVE REGULAR REPORTS TO THE PRESS. A NEGOTIATING TEAM WHICH OPERATES BETWEEN THE OPERATION CONTROL STAFF AND THE HOSTAGE-TAKERS IS CONSIDERED OF PARTICULAR IMPORTANCE. THIS WELL-TRAINED TEAM HAS THE FOLLOWING RESPONSIBILITIES: ESTABLISH CONTACT WITH THE OFFENDERS AND CONDUCT NEGOTIATIONS ALONG THE LINES DETERMINED BY THE OPERATION CONTROL STAFF, WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF PSYCHOLOGICALLY DEFEATING THE OFFENDERS; IDENTIFY THE OFFENDERS AND STUDY THEIR PERSONALITIES AND SPECIFIC BEHAVIOR; OBTAIN RELEASE OF THE HOSTAGES; AND MAKE THE OFFENDERS GIVE UP THEIR PLAN. BOTH THE FEDERATION AND THE FEDERAL STATES HAVE CREATED SPECIALIZED POLICE UNITS TRAINED AND EQUIPPED TO DEAL WITH HOSTAGE SITUATIONS. THESE UNITS INCLUDE: MOBILE OPERATIONAL UNITS, WHOSE TASKS ARE INVESTIGATIVE; SPECIAL OPERATIONAL UNITS, WHOSE TASK IS TO SAVE THE LIVES OF THE HOSTAGES; PRECISION FIRING UNITS, DEPLOYED TO INCAPACITATE OFFENDERS; AND 'BORDER POLICE GROUP 9,' A UNIT WITHIN THE FEDERAL BORDER POLICE THAT CONSTITUTES A SYNTHESIS OF SPECIAL OPERATIONAL UNITS AND PRECISION FIRING UNITS. (RCB)