NCJ Number
17179
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 43 Issue: 10 Dated: (OCTOBER 1974) Pages: 10-14
Date Published
1974
Length
5 pages
Annotation
NEW YORK CITY'S HOSTAGE NEGOTIATING TEAM IS FORMED OF VOLUNTEERS WHO RECEIVE SPECIAL TRAINING IN PSYCHOLOGY, FIREARMS AND OTHER SUBJECTS AND TECHNIQUES TO ENABLE THEM TO DEAL WITH HOSTAGE SITUATIONS.
Abstract
HOSTAGE - TAKERS HAVE BEEN CATEGORIZED AS PROFESSIONAL CRIMINALS, PSYCHOTICS, AND TERRORISTS, EACH OF WHICH DEMANDS A DIFFERENT APPROACH. NEW YORK CITY HAS FOUND THAT TRAINED NEGOTIATORS ARE THE BEST WAY TO KEEP BOTH HOSTAGES AND HOSTAGE - TAKERS ALIVE. A FOUR-WEEK TRAINING COURSE HAS BEEN CREATED FOR THE VOLUNTEERS, ALL OF WHOM ARE WORKING DETECTIVES WHO ASSUME HOSTAGE NEGOTIATING DUTIES ONLY IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. IN FIFTEEN CASES IN WHICH HOSTAGES WERE TAKEN AND THE NEGOTIATING TEAM WAS PRESENT, NO LIVES WERE TAKEN.