Hostage negotiation strategies and psychological approaches

Criminal Justice - Hostage Negotiation

HOSTAGE NEGOTIATIONS

The history of hostage negotiation is traceable as far back as ancient Greek and Roman literature, and likely predates recorded history altogether (Butler, Leitenberg, & Fuselier, 1993). In the context of modern law enforcement, hostage negotiation has developed into a methodical process emphasizing numerous aspects of human psychology, mental health counseling, and tactical operations. Different hostage situations require different approaches tailored to those specific situations, but in principle, all forms of hostage negotiations share the same goal: to achieve a resolution that prevents harm to human hostages and culminates with the apprehension and eventual prosecution of all the perpetrators (Schmalleger, 2008).

The Theory and Process of Hostage Negotiation:

Initially, hostage negotiators must establish communications with the hostage takers; next, they must create a negotiating relationship in which they can make offers capable of motivating cooperation and concessions; third, they must gather intelligence about the hostage takers from them directly as well as from outside sources (DeFabrique, Romano, & VanHasselt, 2007; Wind, 1995). Most hostage negotiation situations evolve through predictable phases: first, there is a period where both sides issue unreasonable demands from the other's perspective; that is usually followed by a waiting period and finally, a return to negotiations and the exchange of respective concessions (Wind, 1995).

Generally, hostage negotiations teams consist of three components: the primary or lead negotiator, the secondary or backup negotiator, and the intelligence negotiator responsible for obtaining important information about the hostage takers from outside sources and providing it to the primary and secondary negotiators. The primary negotiator tries to establish some basis for rapport or the perception of mutual respect with the hostage takers. Meanwhile, the secondary negotiator assists the primary in several ways, such as by making suggestions and recording important information revealed by the hostage takers. The secondary negotiator is also responsible for maintaining a more detached perspective than the primary and helping the primary remain objective and uninvolved on a personal psychological level (Schmalleger, 2008; Wind, 1995).