goals and objective of hostage negotiations 2010

Goals and Objectives of Negotiations

Captain R. A. Lescault- October 2008


Captain R. A. Lescault- April 2010

Basic Negotiation GoalsBasic Negotiation Goals

• Preservation of human Preservation of human lifelife

• Apprehension of the Apprehension of the subjectsubject

• Recovery and protection Recovery and protection of propertyof propertySAVE LIVES!SAVE LIVES!



Five D’s• Detain• Delay• Deliberate• Defuse• Deny

How do we accomplish these How do we accomplish these goals? By using the….goals? By using the….



DetainDetainBasic Containment –Basic Containment –

Containment enables a disciplined, controlled response of emergency resources through the use of staging areas, forward command posts, perimeters, and checkpoints.

Peter C. SarnaOakland (CA) Police Department

Containment can be -Containment can be -• Physical Isolation (cannot leave perimeter)

• Verbal isolation (talks to no one but the negotiator)



DetainDetainBasic Containment –Basic Containment –

• Prevent the spread of the threat

• Mitigate the harmful effects of the threat on persons and property

• Prevent the escape of the subject

• Prevent entry of unauthorized persons into the area

• Isolate the subject from the outside world)



DelayDelay“The skillful leader subdues the enemy's troops without any

fighting; he captures their cities without laying siege to them; he overthrows their kingdom without lengthy operations in the field.” – Sun Tzu

• Time increases basic human needsTime increases basic human needs• Time reduces stress & anxietyTime reduces stress & anxiety• Time increase rationalityTime increase rationality• Time increase opportunity for hostage Time increase opportunity for hostage

escapeescape• Time permits better decision making Time permits better decision making

through gathering of intelligencethrough gathering of intelligence• Time allows for the building of negotiator-Time allows for the building of negotiator-

subject rapportsubject rapport• Time reduces the subject’s expectationsTime reduces the subject’s expectations



DelayDelayDelaying tacticsDelaying tactics

• Initiate a “give & take” bargainingInitiate a “give & take” bargaining• Make subject work for everything he getsMake subject work for everything he gets

Concerns about passage of timeConcerns about passage of time•Exhaustion•Boredom•Creeping-up effect•Injuries & Illness•“Action Imperative”•Limited manpower•Increasing expense•Media profile & public attention



DeliberateDeliberate“Take time to deliberate; but when the time for

action arrives, stop thinking and go in.” Napoleon Bonaparte

The basic concept of the Modern Day The basic concept of the Modern Day Crisis and Hostage Negotiations is that Crisis and Hostage Negotiations is that it’s a it’s a planned planned approach to peacefully approach to peacefully resolve a dangerous, possibly hostile resolve a dangerous, possibly hostile

and violent situationand violent situation..

More on this in the Command and Tactical Section Lecture



DefuseDefuse“The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success,

his influence, his power for good. Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom.” – James Allen

Attempt to Resolve Emotional ConflictAttempt to Resolve Emotional Conflict Diffuse intense emotions Return subject to normal functioning level Establish rapport & communicate empathy (Active Active

Listening)Listening) Gain intelligence

Initiate a “give & take” bargaining Build trust and rapport with subject

Lower emotions & diffuse anger Attempt to return subject to more rational

thinking



DenyDeny“Experience has taught us that men will not adopt and carry

into execution measures the best calculated for their own good without the intervention of a coercive power” – George Washington

Once Subject is more Rational….Once Subject is more Rational….• Over a period of time, the subject is still contained, he or

she is hopefully less emotional-more rational and original demands have been denied (i.e. freedom, leave them alone, etc.).

• Subject will begin to realize he is not in control & doesn’t have any real power.

• Introduce non-violent problem solving alternatives

• Encourage and facilitate a peaceful surrender

goals and objective of hostage negotiations 2010

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