Hostage Plan

Question 1

Hostage taker/incident definition:

Answer 1

A person who uses hostages to affect an escape, commit crime, or further a cause, and poses a clear and present danger to the hostages into the public at large. Therefore, an incident in which a hostage taker is taking hostages is a hostage incident.

Question 2

Incident command post (ICP) definition:

Answer 2

The operational site from which the patrol division supervisor operates. It shall consist of the patrol supervisor, fire and medical personnel, and the public information officer(PIO).

Question 3

Patrol supervisor responsibilities: (in reference to a hostage situation)

Answer 3

1. Reinforces the inner perimeter and establishes a secondary perimeter based on the nature of the incident.
2. Directs units to stop any inbound foot or vehicle traffic as required.
3. Gathers intelligence, and makes a determination for the need for SWAT and negotiators to respond, and makes the requests via communications.
4. Evacuate bystanders and injured persons from the area directly around the suspects location. Records names and addresses of persons and residences evacuated.
5. Designates an officer was good verbal skills to make contact with the hostage taker to determine the subject’s desire and purpose, and the well-being of hostages. NOTE: Prior to the arrival of SWAT/ CNT there will be no negotiations for the supply of weapons, ammunition, drugs, alcohol, or exchange of hostages.
6. Requests a dedicated radio channel with a dispatcher, if required.

Question 4

Patrol officer responsibilities: (in reference to a hostage situation)

Answer 4

1. Arrives at the incident scene and takes steps to stop the momentum, slow the action, and save human life. Attempts to avoid confrontation in favor of controlling and containing the situation.
2. Seals off the area as soon as possible. This should begin as soon as the Officer determines what type of confrontation is being faced. Isolates the critical zone to the smallest possible area by creating an inner perimeter.
3. Advises communications of vital information related to the situation.

Question 5

Patrol Lieutenant responsibilities: (in reference to a hostage situation)

Answer 5

1. Ensures all the above steps are accomplished and makes adjustments as needed.
2. Designates a point for evacuated citizens to gather that is safe, and has facilities and access to phones, such as schools and shopping centers.
3. Establishes an incident command post (ICP) that
   A. Is out of sight of the suspect
   B. Has an area for responding units to stage
   C. Has access to a phone and unobstructed radio communications
4. Establishes ingress/egress routes for responding units
5. Request fire and medical support to the ICP
6. Assigns one officer to function as the recorder to maintain a chronological log of events to update the patrol division supervisor of Personnel assigned
7. Advises communications of the command post phone number
8. Assigns a patrol supervisor or designee to the tactical operations center
9. Request a traffic section supervisor to control the outer perimeter to relieve patrol Personnel for duty in the field
10. Maintains control over the relief and deployment of patrol officers
11. Functions as media liaison, or appoints one, unless the PIO is present
12. Plans for the availability/use of pursuit/surveillance vehicles and control of travel routes, if appropriate
13. Notifies the emergency management coordinator, when appropriate