MP1006 Lesson 5

LESSON 5

INITIAL RESPONSE TO A HOSTAGE SITUATION

OVERVIEW

LESSON DESCRIPTION:

This lesson will identify the three types of hostage-takers and their nature. It will also explain the importance of seeking safe release of all hostages at a minimum risk to bystanders and law enforcement personnel.

TERMINAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE

ACTION:	Appropriately respond to a hostage situation.
CONDITION:	Given the information provided in this subcourse.
STANDARD:	To demonstrate competency of this task, you must achieve a minimum score of 70 percent on the subcourse examination.

INTRODUCTION

During the latter part of the 60's, the world witnessed a sharp increase in hostage-taking, with the skyjacking of domestic and international aircraft by terrorist groups. Public notoriety was gained since such were political ploys in many cases by terrorists seeking attention or compliance with their demands. Criminals caught in the act of committing a crime frequently take hostages in order to attempt an escape. Of course, there are a few hostage-takers suffering from mental disorders. With the different types of hostage-takers no two situations are alike. What must be considered is the response of the patrol on initial contact with a hostage situation. The ultimate objective of law enforcement officials is the neutralization of the threat by seeking safe release of all hostages at a minimum risk to bystanders and law enforcement personnel.

PART A - TYPES OF HOSTAGE-TAKERS

You should understand the following definitions:

Hostages: Any person held against their will as security for the performance of specific actions.

Special threat: Any situation involving a sniper, barricaded criminals, terrorist activity, or hostage-taker(s) that is beyond the capacity of standard police equipment, manpower, and training.

Special reaction team: Any team of military police personnel specially trained, armed, and equipped to contain and neutralize a special threat.

Negotiations: A mutual discussion between authorities and a hostage-taker or barricaded offender leading to an agreement concerning the release of hostages or the surrender of the offender.

Hostage-takers. Who are they? For training purposes, hostage-takers are broadly classified in the categories of: Political activists or terrorists, criminal deviants, the mentally unstable, and inmates. By no means should you rule out other personalities simply because they are not distinctly in the categories mentioned. Each situation must be executed in a different manner.

Political activists or terrorists. Activists are sometimes classified as terrorists. They are often highly aggressive, totally committed to their causes, and unpredictable. Motives vary from each demand such as money, release of political prisoners, or publicity. The kidnapping of Patricia Hearst on February 4, 1974, by the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA) lead to a demand for the Hearst Corporation to fund a food program for the needy as punishment for the Hearst family being what the SLA termed capitalistic oppressors.

Criminal deviants: This type of hostage-taking results when the criminal is caught in a criminal act and uses hostages as a means of safely escaping. Criminal deviants are likely to be rational individuals.

Mentally unstable: Qualified medical personnel should make the determination that an individual is suffering from an abnormal psychiatric condition. However, due to the special threat situation, military police must make an intelligent estimation of an individual's rationality. Moods and perception of the mentally unstable are highly volatile. Studies have indicated that many mentally unstable hostage-takers are suicidal, but lack the courage to follow through; instead, they create a situation where police action may cause death.

Symptoms of unstable personality include:

Loss of memory.

Drastic change in behavior, for example, calm to hysterical.

Individual hears voices.

Easily frightened by sudden noises.

Feels that he is being constantly watched.

Psychopathic personalities are rational individuals who are legally sane and responsible for their actions. Such personalities are often very convincing liars. Characteristics of the psychopathic personality include:

Appearance of being calm and in control.

Charming.

Intelligent.

Unreliable.

Insincere.

Poor judgement.

Lack of concern for others.

Highly aggressive.

Concerned for personal desires.

Inmate personality: When hostages, (usually corrections personnel), are taken, the threat to life is acute. Often desperate men, who feel they have nothing to lose, dominate the leadership of such revolts.

The time factor has worked for and against law enforcement in prison riots. However, allowing the prisoners time generally permits the leader of such a revolt to exploit his position and consolidate his leadership. He is able, therefore, to create a formidable area which cannot be neutralized except by loss of life. Because of this, action taken immediately may well be less costly. Attica is an example of a situation where prisoners were allowed enough time to organize.

PART B - DEALING WITH HOSTAGE-TAKERS

Reaction to a hostage situation may vary. Consideration must be given to the personality of the hostage-taker(s), possible motivation, danger presented to bystanders and policemen. Alternatives include:

Immediate assault: (Israelis' assault against Entebbe).

Control sniper fire: Regulations governing the use of deadly force must be applied. Returning sniper fire may endanger hostages or bystanders. Shots should be fired only on command.

Chemical agents: Employment of chemical agents could cause the hostage-taker to react by killing his hostages. There is also the possibility of fires started from agents such as tear gas.

Contain and negotiate: This approach to a hostage situation offers the best alternative to a successful end for a number of reasons. Usually time works in the favor of the negotiator since a process called transference, which is a developed relationship whereby the hostage-taker and negotiator exchange ideas and begin to understand and trust each other, takes place.

Why Negotiate.

Negotiation has many advantages. During a threat situation, stress and tension are built up at the onset. Law enforcement officials are in a critical position, being under constant public scrutiny. During negotiation, information is gathered about the offender as well as the hostages which would allow invaluable communication and gaining of a sense of understanding between the offender, law enforcement officials, and his victim. This will be discussed later. Thus, there is a decrease in stress and anxiety. Time used in negotiating allows the hostage-taker to reevaluate his position and to consider alternatives to the present course of action. Law enforcement officials can also gather background information on the offender, such as, previous criminal record, marital status, family members, friends, race, ethnic group, intelligence, and employment, etc. This may provide clues in deciding what approach or strategy to use in the situation.

Stockholm Syndrome.

The Stockholm Syndrome is a theory that has shown that the longer the hostage-taker spends with his hostages, a bond develops that creates a close relationship of understanding between the parties involved. This is positive for the hostages since they are less likely to be harmed; however, hostages may later refuse to testify in court against the hostage-taker or refuse release to safety until the crisis is over. The case of Patricia Hearst, who was kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA), and while in captivity, became an active member of the SLA, is considered a classic case of the Stockholm Syndrome.

PART C - INITIAL ACTION AT A HOSTAGE SCENE

It is most important for a responding military police patrol not to overreact to a hostage situation. It is important during hostage situations to control the "take charge" attitude which is otherwise desirable. The patrolman must demonstrate a calm, professional attitude, and respond to hostage situations in the following manner:

Take cover.

Evaluate the situation.

Inform the MP station of the situation by radio and request backup patrols. When backup patrols are dispatched, emergency lights and siren should not be used since they might trigger the hostage-taker(s) into action because of heightened emotional state.

Make every effort to contain the hostage-taker.

Try to clear the area of any bystanders that might be present. Be sure to obtain their identification as well as any pertinent information they might have.

Direct the approach of backup patrols to effect the containment of the hostage-taker(s).

Keep all entrances and exits to the area where they are under constant surveillance.

Brief responding backup units and caution them against overreacting; also, remind everyone that the rules of force do apply (AR 190-28).

If fired upon, DO NOT return fire as the hostages might be hit. Take cover.

Once containment is effected, consideration should be given to the holstering of weapons.

Remain in position until relieved by the special reaction team (SRT).

Be sure unauthorized persons do not communicate with the offender. If you must communicate with the offender, do not make threats, offers, or promises. You should avoid flatly refusing demands, but try to avoid answering demands until the negotiating team arrives at the scene.

Remain available to provide intelligence to the commander of the situation. AVOID CONFRONTATION WITH THE HOSTAGE-TAKER(S) AND NEVER SURRENDER YOUR WEAPON TO THE HOSTAGE-TAKER. IF THE HOSTAGE-TAKER IS DETERMINED TO KILL THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN DO TO PREVENT IT!!! DO NOT BECOME A HOSTAGE OR VICTIM YOURSELF!!!

Practice Exercise