NCJ Number
139139
Date Published
1992
Length
95 pages
Annotation
This futures study examines the current status and future requirements for the police management of barricade and hostage situations in California.
Abstract
The study includes a strategic plan for technology identification and procurement, psychological diffusion techniques, and a transition management plan for the management of barricade/hostage situations. An analysis of trends within 10 years focuses on nonlethal weapons, recession effects on special weapons and tactical teams (SWAT), psychological diffusion technique development, civilian review boards, SWAT privatization, restrictions on the use of force, and gang warfare. Events that could impact the issue are a statewide jail population cap, the introduction of a SWAT robot, laws that pertain to a civilian hostage negotiation team (HNT), the introduction of a subliminal suggestion technique, court limits on the use of force, and deaths in a prison riot due to poor HNT. Policy recommendations include proactive research and development for police technology, the development of a technology procurement task force, a statewide information/tactics/training data base, and psychological diffusion research. A strategic plan incorporates concepts and implementation methodology. A transition management plan includes a management structure and implementation technologies. Appended SWAT data, forecasting methods and results, 3 tables, processes, and data, 23 notes