3.510 Hostage Plan

Question 1

What is the overall policy of “3.510 - Hostage Plan”?

Answer 1

“In hostage situations, it is the policy of this department to prioritize life safety through de-escalation tactics or alternative approaches and to make every reasonable effort to affect the safe release of the hostages should communications fail.”

Question 2

“Once the SWAT team deploys and takes command of the inner perimeter, or if the hostage taker becomes mobile, the deployment of tactical assets, apprehension of the hostage taker and rescue of the hostages is maintained by ____________________ until the situation is resolved.”

Answer 2

SWAT Commander

Question 3

Upon arriving on a hostage incident, what are the supervisor’s responsibilities?

Answer 3

1. Upon arrival, assess the situation and take command by prioritizing and communicating objectives.
2. Reinforce the inner perimeter and establish a secondary perimeter
3. Direct units to stop any inbound foot or vehicle traffic.
4. Assign officers as an immediate-action team to control the subject should they exit.
5. Gather intelligence, make a determination for the need of SWAT and negotiators to respond.
6. Evacuate or shelter-in-place bystanders and injured persons from the vicinity around the suspect’s location. Designate an officer to record names and addresses evacuated.
7. Designate an officer with strong verbal skills to make contact with the subject to determine the suspect’s intent and solicit information of the well-being of hostages. If contact is made with the subject, efforts should be made to persuade the suspect to voluntarily surrender.
8. If needed, request a dedicated radio channel with a dispatcher.
9. Communicate with and direct subsequent arriving supervisors to perform other tasks that require handling.

Question 4

On a hostage incident, “prior to the arrival of SWAT/CNT, there will be NO NEGOTIATIONS for the supply of…”

Answer 4

“…weapons, ammunition, drugs, alcohol or exchange of hostages.”