NCJ Number
69475
Date Published
1975
Length
238 pages
Annotation
THIS POLICE TRAINING MANUAL NARRATES SOME HAZARDOUS POLICE SITUATIONS AND SUGGESTS TECHNIQUES FOR DEALING WITH THEM; SITUATIONS INVOLVE HOSTAGE-TAKING SNIPERS, FAMILY DISTURBANCES, AND OTHERS.
Abstract
COPYING TRAINING FILMS, THE HAZARDOUS INCIDENTS ARE PRESENTED AS DRAMA. NEXT, AN EVALUATION OF THE INCIDENT RETRACES THE ACTION AND REVIEWS GOOD TACTICS OR MISTAKES; CASE HISTORIES PRESENT SIMILAR INCIDENTS FROM REAL LIFE. DISCUSSION OF PROPER POLICE RESPONSES IS INCLUDED AT THE END OF EACH SECTION. CONCERNING HOSTAGE-TAKING, MOST HOSTAGE TAKERS ARE COMMON CRIMINALS WHO HAVE BEEN FRIGHTENED, PSYCHOTICS, OR POLITICAL FANATICS. PROCEDURES ANALYSIS COVERS PROTECTING HUMAN LIFE, GETTING TO KNOW THE SUSPECT, HOW TO NEGOTIATE, WHAT TO DO IN MULTIPLE-HOSTAGE SITUATIONS, HOW LONG TO MAINTAIN THE STANDOFF, AND HOSTAGE POLICY GUIDELINES. CONCERNING SNIPERS, POLICE SHOULD DETERMINE, IF POSSIBLE, WHO THE SNIPER IS AND WHETHER HE IS ALONE. TIPS ARE GIVEN ON HOW TO TALK TO SNIPERS AND WEAPONS THEY COMMONLY USE ARE DESCRIBED. CONCERNING AMBUSHES OF POLICEMEN, COUNTERMEASURES ARE TAUGHT AND TECHNIQUES CRIMINALS USE TO ENTRAP POLICE OFFICERS ARE ANALYZED. AMBUSHES ARE IDENTIFIED AS HAVING THE WORST POSSIBLE EFFECT ON POLICE MORALE. CONCERNING GUNMEN WHO BARRICADE THEMSELVES INTO A BUILDING OR ROOM, OFFICERS MUST FIRST LOCATE THE ATTACKER, BEING CAREFUL NOT TO CONFUSE HIS POSITION WITH THAT OF AN INNOCENT BYSTANDER. TWO PHASES OF POLICE ACTION ARE NEEDED TO NEUTRALIZE THE GUNMAN; SECRECY AND COVER MUST BE MAINTAINED WHEN SEARCHING BUILDINGS OR APPROACHING THE GUNMAN. FAMILY DISTURBANCE CALLS ARE THE MOST DANGEROUS AND DIFFICULT SERVICE CALLS FOR POLICE, BUT GOOD TACTICS INCLUDE BEING UNDERSTANDING AND SELF-CONFIDENT, RESTORING CALM, AND GETTING THE ARGUING PARTIES TO TALK TO ONE ANOTHER. GUIDELINES ARE PROVIDED. FINALLY, IN PROTECTING PUBLIC FIGURES, POLICE ARE REMINDED THAT POLICE PRESENCE IS THE GREATEST PROTECTION. DISCUSSION COVERS HOW TO DEAL WITH THE SECRET SERVICE AND CLOSE SECURITY TACTICS. ILLUSTRATIONS ARE INCLUDED.