Hostage Situations are volatile and therefore we aim to make the most informed decisions as Police Officers to diffuse the situation.

203.21 Prior to Negotiation

Before negotiation can commence, you must do the following:

• Proof of Life of all hostages, showing that none have been killed or seriously injured.

• Establish reliable communication/ dialogue with somebody within the building - either a hostage or hostage taker.

203.22 Negotiations

Negotiation Regulations:

• If suspects heavily open fire on Police Officers during negotions, negotiations are to be cancelled and focus diverted to neutralising the suspects as soon as possible with due regard to the lives of the hostages still present with the hostage taker.

• Law Enforcement do not intend to comply with any hostage takers demands, if the opportunity arises to neutralise the hostage taker(s) with no risk to the hostage's wellbeing - it is to be taken.

• Never allow the hostage taker to transport the hostage to a new location.

Negotiation Procedure:

• Identify yourself in order to foster a personal connection to the hostage taker, you may also be able to get an ID on the hostage taker through dialogue.

• Give the illusion that they are in controll if they appear to be calm, ask them for their demands in exchange for the hostage's safe return.

• Explore all avenues that will lead to the safe capture of the Hostage Taker with the smallest risk to other life. 

  • Baitcar System in vehicle.

  • Fake Cash if demanded.

  • Sniper Rifle utilisation.

  • Stun Grenade utilisation.

204.21 Communication and Terminology

• "Blue, Blue" = Friendly making themselves known to other friendlies out of view.

• "Need 1,2,3" = Requesting additions to stack on door prior to breach

• "Slice the Pie" = Room clearing technique

204.21 Room Clearance

"Slice the Pie" is a technique used to visually clear the majority of a room prior to entering, by shifting angles around the doorway - keeping maximum concealment of yourself but revealing the presence of any suspects in the room.

Officers in a stack enter and push into a room to the opposite side of the door they were stacked on.

Each Officer has a "cone of vision" approximately 170 degrees to their front, good room clearance ensures that as a collective, a unit of Police Officers has 360 degree coverage at all times during a breach.