HOSTAGE SITUATION
&
BARRICADED
Hostage Situation
● A hostage situation
refers to the unlawful
abduction or restraint
of one or more individuals
with intent to restrict
their freedom.
● This is termed as crisis by
the law enforcement
officers and behavioral
professionals.
Priorities
In dealing with hostage
situations, the
priorities are to
1)preserve lives,
2)apprehend the
captors, and
3) recover or protect
properties.
STAGES OF A HOSTAGE
SITUATION
●1. Alarm Stage - This stage is the most traumatic and
dangerous. In the alarm stage, the emotion of the
hostage taker is exceedingly in its highest peak.
● 2. Crisis Stage - In this stage, when negotiation attempts are
being initiated by the crisis negotiator.
-At this stage hostages may start to feel three (3)
problems: 1) Isolation, 2) Claustrophobia, and 3) Sense of time.
The hostage taker may inconsistently enforce numerous demands
and petty rules and this may result to unsuccessful negotiation. In
addition, the perpetrator seeks to destroy the victim’s sense of
autonomy by depriving him of his basic needs.
3. Accommodation Stage - This is distinguished by
boredom, and with moments of terror. Though is
considered as the longest yet is the most tranquil.
Stockholm’s syndrome will likely to occur between the
captors and the victims
4. Resolution Stage - This is the stage when the hostage
taker is being stressed out or fatigued of the situation.
Losing interest of the situation and lost most of his
bargaining points.
Tension between the hostages, hostage taker and the
crisis negotiator is notably low
Procedure to be followed in a Hostage Situation The
following steps shall be undertaken:
1) Crisis Management Task Group shall be activated immediately;
2) Incident scene shall be secured and isolated;
3) Unauthorized persons shall not be allowed entry and exit to the incident
scene; and
4) Witnesses’ names, addresses, and other information shall be recorded.
Witnesses shall be directed to a safe location.
5) Evacuate all victims/injured persons immediately when the opportunity
permits;
6)The arrest of the perpetrator shall be the last paramount concern
7) Conduct debriefing immediately after the conclusion of the incident.
● Negotiators/ Negotiation Team -
Negotiators shall be designated by the
Ground Commander .No one shall be
allowed to talk to the hostage taker without
clearance from the negotiator or Ground
Commander. The Negotiation Team is
directly under control and supervision of the
On-Scene Commander.
Negotiation Team
●Generally, the Negotiation Team
consists of five (5) negotiators, all
trained in the art of crisis negotiation.
Each team member plays a vital role in
the successful resolution of critical
incidents
● Except in cases where negotiators are not
physically available or the situation demands for
the immediate commencement of negotiation, the
Negotiation Team structure will be as follows:
● a. Negotiation Team Leader (NTL)/Coordinator;
● b. Primary Negotiator;
● c. Secondary Negotiator;
● d. Intelligence Liaison/Recorder;
● e. Board Negotiator.
1. The Primary Negotiator actually communicates with
the subject.
2. The Secondary (or backup) Negotiator assists the
primary negotiator by offering advice, monitoring the
negotiations, keeping notes, and ensuring that the Primary
Negotiator sees and hears everything in the proper
perspective.
3. The Intelligence Liaison/Recorder - interviews
individuals associated with the suspect to compile a
criminal history and a history of mental illness, as well as to
gather other relevant information. He is also in charge of
4. Most senior member of the team will act as the
Negotiation Team Leader, whose primary
responsibility is to act as a buffer between command
personnel and the Negotiation Team.
When the Incident/ OnScene Commander wants to offer
advice to the Negotiation Team, this should be routed to
the Negotiations Team via the Negotiation Team Leader
5. Board Negotiator is the “board person” who maintains
a visual display of all information relevant to the
negotiations, i.e. deadlines, demands and details of
persons known to be in the stronghold;
●Assault Team
●An assault team shall be alerted
for deployment in case the
negotiation fails. Members of
the assault team shall wear
authorized and easily recognizable
uniform during the conduct of the
operation.
Support Personnel
●An ambulance with
medical crew and a fire
truck shall be detailed at
the incident area.
● Guidelines during Negotiations
● 1. Situation must be stabilized first and contained
before the start of the negotiation.
● 2. All relevant tools and information that can strengthen
a successful negotiator's position and create a favorable
climate successful negotiation must be prepared e.g.
facts relevant to the situation, financial and non-financial
terms, issues and concerns, etc.
● 3. Do not introduce outsiders (non-law enforcement
officers) into the negotiation process, unless their
presence is extremely necessary in the solution of the
crisis. If so introduced, they shall be properly advised on
the do's and don'ts of hostage negotiations.
● 4. In case the negotiator breaks down or he/she finds
himself/ herself in a deadlock, it is recommended to
employ the service of a mediator.
● 5. Police officers without proper training shall not be
allowed to participate in hostage negotiations.
● 6. Whatever the scale of an incident and the extent of
resources deployed, it is essential that proper liaison exist
between Tactical/Assault Team, Technical Support Team
and the Negotiation Team.
● 7. All activities on the scene, even the delivery of food to
the stronghold, must have tactical coordination with the
NTL/ Coordinator
Safety of Hostage
●Safety of Hostage(s)
●In negotiating for the release of a
hostage, the safety of the hostage
shall always be paramount.
Barricade situation
●Barricade situation - An incident where
a person maintains a position of cover
or concealment and ignores or resists
law enforcement personnel, and it is
reasonable to believe the subject is
armed with a dangerous or deadly
weapon.
Barricaded Criminals
● This type might be robbers cornered by the
police while in the act of committing
their crime (i.e bank robbers). Either
barricaded in a building, road block or on
getaway cars. Hostages are may be
employees, bystanders or both caught in the
process of escaping
Thank you!
