hostage plan

Question 1

In hostage situations, it is the policy of this department to

Answer 1

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

In the case of a hostage situation, the department will through the deployment of resources and use of tactics,

Answer 2

attempt the safe rescue of hostages and apprehension of the hostage taker

Question 3

Once the SWAT commander and team arrive at the scene, the SWAT commander (captain) or the SWAT tactical commander (SWAT lieutenant) will

Answer 3

assume command of all tactical operations, inner perimeter control, and will coordinate all contact with the hostage taker through the Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT).

Question 4

The patrol supervisor will retain

Answer 4

command of the incident command post (ICP), staging area, secondary perimeter, and other police operations. The mere presence of senior officers will not imply the assumption of command

Question 5

Patrol officer will Arrive at the incident scene and

Answer 5

take steps to
slow the momentum,
de-escalate, and
protect human life.
Attempt to avoid confrontation in favor of controlling and containing the situation

Seal off the area as soon as possible. Isolate the critical zone to the smallest possible area by creating an inner perimeter.

Advise Dispatch of critical information.

Question 6

Patrol supervisor will: (9)(hostage)

Answer 6

Upon arrival, assess the situation and take command by prioritizing and communicating objectives.

Reinforce the inner perimeter and establish a secondary perimeter based on the nature of the incident.

Direct units to stop any inbound foot or vehicle traffic.

Assign officers as an immediate-action team (designating roles such as verbal communication, low lethality options, hands on, etc.) to control the subject should the subject surrender, release the hostage, or exit the structure.

Evacuate or shelter-in-place bystanders and injured persons from the vicinity around the suspect’s location.

Designate an officer with strong verbal skills to make contact with the hostage taker to determine their intent and solicit information on the well-being of hostages. If contact is made with the subject, ensure officers remain in a tactically sound position, using effective cover and concealment. Efforts should be made to persuade the suspect to voluntarily surrender.

Prior to the arrival of SWAT/CNT, there will be no negotiations for the supply of weapons, ammunition, drugs, alcohol, or exchange of hostages.

Request a dedicated radio channel with a dispatcher, if required.

Communicate with and direct subsequent arriving supervisors to perform other tasks that require handling.

Any subsequent arriving supervisor will assess and determine where they are needed and establish communication with the first arriving supervisor to provide support. All supervisors on-scene have a responsibility in the command and control process.

Designate an officer to record names and addresses of persons and residences evacuated.

Question 7

Establish an ICP that:

Answer 7

Is secured and is close in proximity to the scene, but is not in the line of sight of the suspect;

Has an area for responding units to stage; and

Has unobstructed radio and telephonic communications