First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics
Crisis Situation: Any incident in which a person present on
the scene has threatened to cause immediate harm to himself or others. This usually involves barricading or refusal to leave a location and / or hostage taking.
Hostage Situation: A crisis situation in which a person is held
against their will to force fulfillment of demands.
First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics
Hostage Situation:A crisis situation in which a
person is held against their will to force fulfillment of demands.
Usually Involves: Threat to harm a person if
demands are not met.
First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics
Hostage Situation continued:Usually Involves:
Primary GoalHaving demands metGaining some type of advantage
First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics
Defensive Threat:Usually employed in non-hostage situations
Threats are primarily to prevent police action
“If you come in here I’ll hurt Joe!
First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics
First Responders Duties:Contain the threat.Isolate the threat.Engage the person in conversation
First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics
Containment and Isolation accomplish: Prevents the spread of the threat. Prevents the escape of the subject Prevents unauthorized persons to enter
the crisis site. Applies pressure on the subject by
isolating him from the outside world.
First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics
Containing the subject to one specific location accomplishes:
Seals off the location or house from outside influence
Disables or removes any means of escape for the person
First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics
Quick Assessment:What type of situation exists?Have hostages been taken?What type of weapons are involved?
First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics
Request Additional resources:SupervisorBack up officers.AmbulanceFire apparatus.SWATCNT
First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics
Evacuation considerations: Persons in close proximity of the crisis
incident Close off streets or neighborhoods if
necessary Vehicular & pedestrian traffic should be
controlled . Establish an outer perimeter a safe
distance from the site.
First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics
Working through the crisis:Most dangerous time:
First few minutes of crisis.Last few minutes during
surrender.Subject is usually very unstable
and irrational
First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics
Most dangerous time continued:
Innocent police activity may be viewed as threatening.
Negotiating may NOT be an option due to person’s condition
Use caution in attempting to contact the person.
First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics
Recommended Techniques:Circumstances may require the first responder to establish contact with the subjectHe may call youHostage may call you3rd party contact (prior)
First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics
Using Non-threatening non-judgmental language will:
Promote Rational ThinkingAllow for arrival of additional resources
Can aid in intelligence gathering
First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics
Negotiations Protocol Introduce yourself by name
Exclude rank Identify the agency you work for Advise subject you are there to help Show concern for the subject
Ask if he/she is O.K. Reassure him no one will come in / rush
him
First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics
Negotiations Protocol If hostages have been taken:
Don’t call them hostages Talk of them as people Ask about their condition Ask their names
Calling them by name will make the subject think of them as people not objects
First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics
Negotiations Protocol Ask the subject what happened? Let the subject talk
When he / she talks, they vent anger and frustration
You gain intelligence
First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics
Be a good listener and reassure the subject Speak in a calm voice at all times Do not get into a shouting match Do not debate with the subject Avoid setting deadlines Talk through any he sets
Contact him prior to deadline or time of action & talk past it
First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics
Statements that are vague or indicate finality: Could mean he / she is thinking
about suicide It is O.K. to ask him / her if he / she is
thinking about suicide
First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics
Opening Exchange: “Hello my name is….. And I work for the
Racine Police Department. I’m here to help you.”
“What is your name or what name can I call you?”
”Are you O.K.” Are the people in there with you, O.K.”
First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics
Allow the subject to talk: “Can you tell me what happened?”
A lot of incidents are emotionally driven Try to identify which emotion he subject
is feeling
First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics
After the subject tells his story: Encourage further conversation by
labeling the emotion: “Jim, it sounds like you are very angry
about …. The subject will either confirm or correct
you
First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics
Tips for Safe First Responder Interaction: Your safety comes first Do not negotiate face to face with
potentially armed subjects Never exchange yourself for anyone
else Do not allow non-police personnel to
negotiate
First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics
Plan Surrenders carefully This may mean the subject is planning
an action that will force a suicide by Cop
First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics
As a first responder you can:Gather intelligence for SWAT &
CNT# of subjectsType of weapons# of hostages
First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics
As a first responder you can:Gather intelligence continued:
Location of hostagesEvaluate subjects state of mind
First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics
As a first responder you can: Stall for time:
Time saves lives (Usually) Allows SWAT / CNT to get into place Has calming effect on everyone Don’t agree to anything (need boss' approval)
Create Diversions Keep subject talking Keep subject in problem solving mode
First Responder Responsibilities & Tactics
You can provide Real Time Intelligence to SWAT /CNT
Where is the subject NOW? Where are the hostages NOW? His / Her state of mind NOW?