NCJ Number
59752
Date Published
1979
Length
12 pages
Annotation
FOCUSING ON THE KIDNAPING OF ISRAELI ATHLETES AT THE 1972 OLYMPIC GAMES IN MUNICH, GERMANY, THIS ARTICLE EXAMINES GUIDELINES DEVELOPED TO COORDINATE EFFORTS TO DEAL WITH BARRICADED FELONS AND HOSTAGE SITUATIONS.
Abstract
AFTER THE MUNICH EPISODE WHICH ENDED TRAGICALLY WITH THE DEATH OF NINE ISRAELI HOSTAGES AND ONE MUNICH POLICEMAN, THE NEW YORK CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT INITIATED A PLAN TO ELIMINATE IMPULSIVE OR UNCOORDINATED ACTIONS WHICH MIGHT OCCUR DURING A TERRORIST ATTACK. TRADITIONALLY, EACH POLICE DIVISION IS ASSIGNED SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES; UNDER THIS PLAN, THE PATROL DIVISION HANDLES INITIAL CONFRONTATION AND CONTAINMENT OF THE PERPETRATOR, THE EVACUATION OF INNOCENT BYSTANDERS, AND THE GATHERING OF INITIAL INTELLIGENCE OF THE OPERATION; THE EMERGENCY SERVICE DIVISION, SPECIALLY TRAINED IN RESCUE TECHNIQUES, IS CHARGED WITH BRINGING RESCUE EQUIOMENT AND WEAPONS TO THE SCENE OF HOSTAGE CONFRONTATIONS; AND THE DETECTIVE BUREAU TAKES CARE OF THE INVESTIGATIONS, INTERROGATIONS, AND INTERVIEWS. EACH PHASE OF THE PLAN, DELINEATING THE SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF EACH UNIT IS DESCRIBED. GENERALLY, THERE ARE FOUR COURSES OF ACTION THAT CAN BE FOLLOWED: DIRECT ASSAULT, USE OF SELECTED SHARPSHOOTERS; FLOODING AN AREA WITH CHEMICAL AGENTS; OR CONTAINMENT AND NEGOTIATION. NEGOTIATION TECHNIQUES AND TRAINING METHODS ARE DESCRIBED, KEEPING IN MIND THREE (OVERSIMPLIFIED) CATEGORIES OF CAPTORS: THE PROFESSIONAL CRIMINAL (POSSIBLY THE EASIEST TO HANDLE), THE PSYCHOTIC, AND THE TERRORIST GROUP. DURING TALKS WITH THE PERPETRATORS, ONLY WEAPONS AND ADDITIONAL HOSTAGES ARE OUTSIDE THE REALM OF NEGOTIATION. FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE SELECTION OF NEGOTIATORS ARE ALSO NOTED. NO REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (WJR)