Loading...
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 Page 1 of 5 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 Page 2 of 5 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 Page 3 of 5 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 Page 4 of 5 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. Page 5 of 5