NCJ Number
101107
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 52 Issue: 4 Dated: (April 1986) Pages: 28-54
Date Published
1986
Length
24 pages
Annotation
These seven articles examine current trends in terrorist activity and related issues of police planning and response, hostage negotiation and postincident management, and the drug trafficking-terrorism connection.
Abstract
Trends over the past decade are identified to include escalating use of violence, particularly against human targets, international cooperation among terrorist groups, the rise of State-sponsored and more highly politicized terrorism, and the involvement of terrorist groups and governments in the international narcotics trade. The drug-terrorism connection is further examined, with emphasis on the role of Cuban involvement in financing Latin American terrorism. A dynamic police planning strategy is outlined that involves intelligence gathering, threat and force structure analyses, strategy development, requirements definition, operations planning and validation, and plan implementation and review. A time-phase model is presented that traces behavior sequences through the introduction, demands, impasse, suicide, and surrender stages of hostage negotiation. In addition, the data-gathering, evaluation and assessment, and support functions of the mental health response and support functions of the mental health response team during hostage negotiations are delineated. The selection, utility, and safety of diversionary munitions, such as flash grenades, in hostage situations also is examined. Finally, antiterrorism and crime control functions of Third World police are examined in relation to human rights and political change.