HOSTAGE B-130 FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: HOSTAGE SITUATIONS NO: B-130
FILE: HOSTAGE
EFFECTIVE DATE: 12-18-89 REVISED: 08-06-90, 12-25-94, 05-06-96, 09-01-99,
12-01-10
AUTHORITY: Sheriff M. Mims APPROVED BY: Assistant Sheriff T. Gattie
REFERENCE: California Code of Regulations, Title 15, Section 1029(a)(7)(B) and
Penal Code Section 236.
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this policy is to establish procedures which provide for the resolution of a
hostage-taking incident while preserving the safety of staff, public, inmates, and hostages,
and maintaining facility security.
POLICY:
The Fresno County Sheriffs Office Jail Division maintains a NO HOSTAGE FACILITY and
will not consider bargaining with hostage takers for ANY reason.
It is the policy of the Fresno County Sheriffs Office Jail Division that once any staff member
is taken hostage, they immediately lose their authority and any orders issued by that
person will not be followed regardless of their rank or status.
It is the policy of the Fresno County Sheriffs Office Jail Division that the primary
responsibility of all staff members in a hostage situation is to protect every person involved,
if possible, from serious injury or death.
PROCEDURES:
I. DEFINITION
HOSTAGE SITUATION: any staff member, citizen or inmate held against their will
by another person for the purpose of escape, monetary gain or any reason which
may place an individual in danger of losing life or suffering serious injury.
II. NOTIFICATIONS, CONTAINMENT AND CONTROL OF THE SITUATION
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FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: HOSTAGE SITUATIONS NO: B-130
FILE: HOSTAGE
A. Emergency procedures and notifications shall be implemented as per
Emergency Planning procedures (B-101/FILE: EMERGENCY).
B. The Watch Commander will notify the Patrol Watch Commander and
apprise them of the incident. The Patrol Watch Commander may be
requested to activate the Crisis Negotiations Team (CNT), outside support
agencies, equipment, personnel, and dispatch a detective to the scene for
the crime report.
III. DURING NEGOTIATIONS
A. While at the scene, the CNT members will conduct all verbal or written
communications between the hostage taker(s) and the Incident
Commander. CNT will immediately notify the Incident Commander of any
changes in the following situations-
1. Hostage status
2. Incident changes and developments
3. Hostage taker demands
4. Any and all pertinent information concerning the incident
B. Staff members at the scene not actively involved with negotiations will not
act or speak out to the hostage taker(s) or hostages.
C. The Tactical Commander will formulate a plan to take the necessary actions,
using the appropriate force, to terminate the hostage situation in the event
negotiations fail. Hostage safety will be of paramount concern.
IV. HOSTAGE SURVIVAL STRATEGIES
A. If taken hostage, it is important to make the transition from being a victim to
being a survivor. The following are not strict rules that must be rigidly
followed, but rather general guidelines. There will always be exceptions.
1. Regain/maintain composure. Try to be calm, focused and clear-headed
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FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: HOSTAGE SITUATIONS NO: B-130
FILE: HOSTAGE
at all times. Do not stand out from other hostages. Drawing
unnecessary attention increases the chance of being singled out and
victimized.
2. Maintain a low-key, unprovocative posture. Overt resistance is usually
counterproductive in a hostage situation.
a. Remain calm and follow instructions. Comply with the hostage
takers when at all possible.
b. Be stoic. Maintain an outward face of acceptance of adversity with
dignity. Avoid open displays of cowardice and fear. Inmates will
view frailty and feebleness as weakness, which may lead to
victimization.
c. Do not antagonize, threaten or aggravate the hostage takers. Avoid
saying "no", or arguing with the hostage takers. Do not act
authoritative. The hostage takers must make it known that they are
in charge.
d. Eye contact may be regarded as a challenge; make eye contactwith
the hostage takers sparingly.
e. Fight off basic instincts, such as anger and hostility. Be polite and
remain alert. Speak normally and don't complain.
3. Hostages should try to establish a level of rapport or communication
with their captors in attempt to get the captors to recognize them as
human beings.
a. Find a mutual ground, an association with the hostage takers.
Foster communication on non-threatening topics (e.g., family,
hobbies, sports, interests).
b. Use the captors' first names, if known. However, if hostage takers
are attempting to conceal their identity, do not give any indication
that they are recognized.
c. Listen actively to the captors' feelings and concerns, but never
praise, participate in, or debate their "cause". If they want to talk
about their cause, act interested in their viewpoints. Avoid being
overly solicitous, which may be viewed as patronizing or insincere.
d. Do not befriend the inmates; such an attempt will likely result in
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FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: HOSTAGE SITUATIONS NO: B-130
FILE: HOSTAGE
exploitation.
e. Try asking for items that will increase personal comfort. Make
requests in a reasonable, low-key manner.
4. Be prepared to be isolated and disoriented.
a. Do not talk to other hostages. The hostage takers may think a plot
is being formed.
b. Develop mind games to stimulate thinking and maintain mental
alertness.
5. Be tolerant of fellow hostages. Just as each person has different
reactions to stress, each individual will have different methods of coping
as a hostage. Some methods are not effective and may endanger the
group, or be annoying to other hostages (e.g., constant talking). Try to
help these people cope in other ways.
6. Gather intelligence. Hostages should take in and store as much detail,
about their captors as possible without drawing attention to their efforts.
Make mental notes and attempt to gather the following information:
identification of the ring leader, the number of hostage takers, the type
of weapons they are using, their tactics, location within the area, etc.
7. Maintain hope. Depending on the circumstances, resolution of hostage
situations can be a lengthy process.
B. Stay away from doors and windows through which rescue teams may enter
or shoot. If a rescue is attempted, drop to the floor and keep hands in view.
C. If there is a chance to escape, the hostage should be certain of their
success.
1. Balance the likely payoff of any behavior with the possible
consequences. Hostage takers may use violence or death to teach a
lesson.
2. Realize that Central Control will not open any doors for anyone.
D. Hostages should be aware of the"Stockholm Syndrome",whereby hostages
begin to show sympathy toward their captors. Hostages who develop
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FRESNO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
JAIL DIVISION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
TITLE: HOSTAGE SITUATIONS NO: B-130
FILE: HOSTAGE
Stockholm Syndrome often view the captor as giving life by simply not taking
it. Such hostages often misinterpret a lack of abuse as kindness and may
develop feelings of appreciation for the perceived benevolence.
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