Their emotion level is high while their rational ability is low.This article explores the role of hostage (crisis) negotiation in the 21st century by reviewing literature on hostage negotiation historically, the dynamics of crisis situations typically encountered by hostage negotiators, the models existing to conceptualize crisis negotiation, and the strategies utilized by negotiators to successfully resolve crisis situations. Rather, they are in crisis, meaning that their normal coping mechanisms for dealing with life’s day-to-day challenges have been overwhelmed. In these situations, the person is not making substantive demands or asking for anything from the police because they do not need anything from the police. Looking at the statistics, if only 4 percent of incidents involve a hostage situation, what do the rest entail? Included in the remaining 96 percent are emotionally-driven crises where a person is barricaded by themselves or with one or more victims, or is suicidal. What is it then when a person is being held against their will yet the situation does not fit the above example? Both situations would be considered a “crisis,” yet in the second situation, the person that is being held involuntarily would not be called a “hostage” but rather a “victim.” Therefore, a hostage situation is one type of crisis to which law enforcement negotiators will respond. This can include a mode of transportation with plans to escape, money, release of prisoners, or items such as food and drinks. The infographic in Table 1 has additional hostage and crisis negotiator data provided by HOBAS.Ī hostage is a person taken involuntarily and being held by the perpetrator with plans to trade them for something else in return. ![]() That means only 4 percent of these situations involved a person taking another person or persons hostage. 1Īccording to the Hostage Barricade Database System (HOBAS)-a database containing information about barricade incidents maintained by the FBI’s CNU-96 percent of incidents requiring the response of law enforcement do not include a hostage being taken. The HNT provided what is common in conflict resolution practices-an alternative method based on communication skills and collaboration.Īs time has passed since the NYPD’s HNT was created, something noticeable has occurred in the realm of law enforcement hostage negotiation-the emergence of the word “crisis” being used and often replacing the term “hostage.” Reviewing academic literature, one will find the term “crisis negotiation” being commonly accepted while television and other media outlets still refer to “hostage” as the generalized term. This method of response contributed to the people involved (including the hostage taker, the hostages and victims, police, and bystanders) being injured and sometimes killed in various incidents. Prior to the creation of the HNT, the standard police response to these situations was to tell the person to surrender immediately-if the individual did not comply, police personnel would lay siege in an attempt to resolve the situation. To this day, they are looked upon as one of the best in the world. ![]() ![]() ![]() The NYPD’s HNT was the first-ever unit created to deal specifically in negotiating with individuals involved in a crisis and possible hostage situation.
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