Hostage Rescue
Tactics
Mission Statement
• An SWAT Members of a Law Enforcement
Special Weapons and Tactics Unit must be able to
operate in hostile conditions under extreme
pressures with surgical skill for the safety of all
law enforcement personnel, hostages, the general
public, and the suspect(s).
• Entry is always used as a last resort when all other
means have been exhausted for a peaceful end to a
critical incident.
Learning Objective
What Is A Hostage ?
• A person kept as a pledge pending the
fulfillment of an agreement
• A person held by another person as a
security for the fulfillment of a certain
demand
• A hostage is a victim held against his or
her will by threat or the actual use of force
Historical Perspective
• Munich Olympics in 1972 focused the world’s
attention on hostage incidents.
• Holland -- may 1976 hostages held on train by
Mollocan terrorists.
• Entebbe, Uganda -- July 1976.
• Mogadishu, Somalia -- Oct. 1977 rescue of
passengers from airliner.
Historical Perspective
continued …
• Iran -- April 1980 American Hostages held
at embassy
• London, England -- May 1980 Hostages
rescued from Iranian Embassy
• Lima, Peru -- 1997 Hostages rescued from
Japanese Embassy
Hostage Situation Types
• Terrorists
• Criminals
• Targeted Individuals
What Is A Hostage ?
• A person kept as a pledge pending the
fulfillment of an agreement
• A person held by another person as a
security for the fulfillment of a certain
demand
• A hostage is a victim held against his or
her will by threat or the actual use of force
Historical Perspective
• Munich Olympics in 1972 focused the world’s
attention on hostage incidents.
• Holland -- may 1976 hostages held on train by
Mollocan terrorists.
• Entebbe, Uganda -- July 1976.
• Mogadishu, Somalia -- Oct. 1977 rescue of
passengers from airliner.
Historical Perspective continued …
• Iran -- April 1980 American Hostages held
at embassy
• London, England -- May 1980 Hostages
rescued from Iranian Embassy
• Lima, Peru -- 1997 Hostages rescued from
Japanese Embassy
Hostage Situation Types
• Terrorists
• Criminals
• Targeted Individuals
Terrorist Hostage Taker
• Political motivations
• Committed to cause
• In for the long haul, often able to endure
extended periods of time barricaded
Criminal Hostage Taker
• Caught in the commission of a crime.
• Important not to create feelings of
hopelessness during negotiations.
• Hostages used to slow police response
Target Individuals
• Mentally disturbed persons
– May be irrational and/or suicidal
• Prisoners
– Historically, immediate and forceful action
has
proven most effective
Hostage Taking
Response
• Most incidents are local authority
responsibility
• Most incidents are not terrorism
• Most incidents are criminals and/or
mentally disturbed persons
• The vast majority of incidents are resolved
using the “negotiation” process
Patrol Supervisor
Responsibilities
•
•
•
•
•
Evacuate citizens from target site area
Contain target site
Establish field command post
Summon emergency medical personnel
Establish outer perimeter for traffic and
pedestrian control
• Locate persons that can provide
intelligence
• Notify PIO and establish media area
TPD Simplified Command
Structure For Typical Critical
Incident
Incident Commander
Patrol Supervisor
Tactical Commander
Outer/Inner Perimeter
Tactical Team Leaders
Crowd Control
Tactical Team members
Evacuations
Investigations
Logistics Support
Fire/rescue
Crisis Negotiations
Commander
Negotiators
Command Structure
Barricade / Hostage
Situation
Fire Department
Incident Commander
ICS
Rescue
Incident Commander(s)
Law Enforcement Agency(s) Involved
EOC
Mutual Aid Resources
Paramedic
Local Law Enforcement
Field Commander
FCP
Media Liasion
Personnel
Operations
Special Operations Commander
Fire Fighting
Logistics
Crisis Negotiations Team
Tactical Teams
Tactical Operations Center
Perimeter
CNT Leader
Tactical Team Leaders
TOC Coordinator
Traffic Control
Asst. Team Leader
Pri-Negotiator
Sec-Negotiator
Intelligence
Journalist
Assault Groups
Containment Teams
Breaching
Hostage Handlers
Sniper Controller
Psychologist
Technical
Sniper Team 1
Sniper Team 2
Sniper Team 3
Asst. TOC Coordinator
Evacuation
Information Handler
Crime Scene
Intelligence
Sniper Coordinator
Pattern Analysis
Pattern Analysis
Communicator
Investigation
SWAT Commander’s
Responsibilities
• Delegate Supervisory Missions
–
–
–
–
Emergency Rescue Plan
Deliberate Rescue Plan
Negotiations with CNT
Tactical Operations Center
First SWAT Supervisor on
Scene
• Use rapid deployment tactics
–
–
–
–
Deploy marksmen/observer teams
Deploy emergency rescue team
Deploy containment personnel as needed
Insure the negotiation process has been initiated
Hostage Taker’s Actions
•
•
•
•
•
•
Release hostages / surrender
Release hostages / suicide
Kill hostages / suicide
Kill hostages / surrender
Continue to hold hostages
Kill one hostage / continue
Hostage Taker’s Actions
• Flee after killing hostages
• Exit with gun to his/her head
• Exit and confront police with or without
hostages
• Exit surrounded by hostages
HOSTAGE TAKER’S
ACTIONS
• Peril to the Hostages should be
considered extreme if :
- The Hostage taker is unnecessarily cruel
to the
Hostage(s)
- When there is no human interaction
between the
Hostage taker and Hostage
*Physical separation
* Hostages blindfolded
The Tactical Operations Center
.
Crisis Negotiations
Hostage Rescue Tactics
Command Priorities
•
•
•
•
Hostages
Innocent civilians
Police personnel
Hostage taker
Hostage Rescue Tactics
• The command decision to shoot the
hostage taker
– The Truth About Incident Command
(Article by R.McCarthy)
Hostage Rescue
Components
• Command and control
– Responsible for all ancillary operations
• Special weapons team
– Entry component
– Containment component
• Negotiations team
– Should include tactical liaison and coordination with
SWAT
Phases of a
Hostage Rescue Operation
•
•
•
•
•
Planning
Rehearsal
Movement
Intervention
Withdrawal
Planning
• Situation
– Provides a brief summary of all that has
transpired and any mitigating or
aggravating
circumstances that can
affect the operation
• Mission
– Precisely defines the objective
Planning
• Execution
– How the objective is expected to be achieved
• Administration & logistics
– “Beans, bandages and bullets”
• Command & signal
– Who is in charge of what and how we will
communicate
Planning
• Planning is usually conducted in
reverse
– From the hostages to safety, not from the entry
to the suspect
• The focus is on the hostages not the
suspect
– May mean the suspect temporally remains free
from authority’s custody
Planning
• Opportunity, not Time, is the key
factor
– Time may provide opportunities, but passing
opportunities may mean they are lost forever
• Never commit to just One plan of
Action
– Alternate contingency plans should be
developed and ready.
– No operation is static and planning should be
continuous
Rehearsal
• Hostage rescue interventions are too
complex and too important to leave
anything to chance.
• Rehearsals should be “full dress”
whenever possible
Rehearsal
• The rehearsal should include radio traffic
and signals, as well as the planned
movement
• The last rehearsal should be done in “real”
time utilizing the anticipated floor plan and
any equipment likely to be needed.
Movement
• The movement phase begins when it has
determined that a tactical intervention is
likely but not yet imminent
• During this phase the team is deployed and
staged in a position to intervene
– Planning and preparation continue
– Major plan changes now become more difficult
Movement
• This is the phase in which secrecy is
most crucial
– The survival of the Hostages and Team
members require that the Hostage
Taker(s)
do not suspect the
intervention
– The Media can not suspect your
intentions
Intervention
• Intervention phase begins when a
tactical intervention is imminent
• Command moves from incident
commander to SWAT commander
– Most visible phase
– Most often the only part of the operation
reported by the media
Intervention
• Except under the most exigent
circumstances, a tactical intervention
to rescue the hostages should not be
recommended without four things
being present:
Intervention
• 1. The floor plan of the Target Site
must be known.
• 2. The Entry Team must be in a
position to intervene within ten
seconds of the signal from the SWAT
Commander
– A window of opportunity or necessity
may be lost if not
Intervention
• 3. Sufficient personnel must be
available to dominate all areas of
threat
– It is most often the complexity of the floor plan
and not the size of the building which dictates
the size of the entry team
• 4. The entry team must be able to
protect the hostages within a
maximum of 30 seconds
Intervention
• Ideally a hostage rescue entry is
comprised of two preparatory actions
– The team is staged at the point(s) of
breach/entry
– A diversion precedes the actual entry to
confuse and disorient the hostage taker
Intervention
• Breach and Entry Methods
–
–
–
–
–
Covert
Hooligan & Ram
Bar Pull
Shotgun Breach
Explosives
Intervention
• Breach and entry methods
– Entry should be made at the closest
point possible to the hostages
– When feasible use multiple breach/entry
points and/or breach/gun ports
Intervention
• Two types of Diversions
– Physiological (explosive breach,noise flash devices, etc)
– Psychological (ruse)
• The ideal diversion is a “Coordinated Marksmen
Initiated Intervention”
– Diversions are always used in a supporting role
Intervention
• Because of the high degree of
coordination required coupled with
the speed of the intervention;
assignments must be understood and
HRT principles rigidly adhered to.
Intervention
• The first requirement is to assign
individual team member
responsibilities
Intervention
• The next requirement is the
determination of how to accomplish
the entry
– How do we get through the door?
– What’s the best entry technique?
Basic Two Man Room Entry
1
2
2
1
Two 2Man, Multiple Rooms
1
1
2
2
1
Four Man Room Entry
1
2
3
4
4
2
1
3
Two
4 Man, Multiple Rooms
3
2
1
1
4
3
2
4
1
3
2
Intervention
• The next requirement is entry team
responsibility
– The rescue element’s responsibility is to
insure the hostage taker does not harm
the hostages
– The security element’s responsibility is
handling of hostages, breaching and
protection of the rescue element.”
Trailers”
Intervention
• The last requirement for beginning
the intervention is the signal to begin
– Whenever possible, this signal should
be a casualty producing signal
– The best casualty producing signal for
Hostage rescue is a “Coordinated
Marksmen Initiated Intervention”
Intervention
INTERVENTION OPTIONS
• OPEN AIR
• MOBILE
• STRONGHOLD
Intervention
KEYS TO SUCCESS
• SURPRISE
• DIVERSION
• SPEED (CONTROLLED)
Intervention
• Four objectives of a hostage rescue intervention
– To quickly take control of an area and dominate it
– To deliver rapid and accurate fire when necessary
– Positive target identification
– To complete your assignment without hindering the
efforts of your fellow Team Members in completing
theirs
Intervention
OPEN AIR OPTION
• Most desirable due to high probability of
success
• Requires highly skilled marksmen with
sophisticated and accurate weapons
• Two marksmen for each hostage taker
deployed as close to right angles as
possible (L-shape)
Intervention
OPEN AIR OPTION
• All Marksmen should be certain of assigned targets
• All shots should be coordinated by command of
Sniper Controller (multiple hostage takers)
• Rescue team must be deployed
• Head shots are desirable
Intervention
OPEN AIR OPTION
• Deployed to dominate predictable target
area
• Field of view vs. Field of fire
• Obtain total coverage of target site with
overlapping sectors of fire
• Consider background (choose proper
weapon)
• Relay all information to marksmen TOC
Intervention
OPEN AIR OPTION
•
•
•
•
•
•
Confirm or deny information on hand
Neutralize a vehicle
Neutralize a hostage taker
Identify routes in and out of target site
Identify special problems at target site
Discuss compromise authority
Intervention
MOBILE OPTION
• Second most desirable option
• Places Hostages/Takers in position to be
observed
• Sedan type vehicles with large windows
are best and require six team members
• Large vehicles and buses require special
ladders
and additional team members
• This contingency should be planned for
Intervention
MOBILE OPTION
• Consider number of hostage takers
hostages are involved
• Have CNT talk vehicle size down (bus to
sedan) deliver what is best for a rescue
• Duplicate vehicle to be used and rehearse
all options
Intervention
MOBILE OPTION
• Vehicle should be altered to compliment
the intervention
–
–
–
–
Mirrors
Windows down
Trunk lid raised
Electronic neutralization device (END)
Intervention
MOBILE OPTION
• Rescue team should be armed with large
caliber pistols
• Marksmen initiated rescue is preferred
Mobile Option
Mobile Option-L-Shape
Mobile Option-Buses
Intervention
STRONGHOLD OPTION
• Least desirable option
• Requires rehearsal and precision team work
• Can require large number of team members
• Close confrontation and potential for multiple shots
Intervention
EXECUTION OPTIONS
• Covert Entry
– Move to contact
• Dynamic (controlled speed)
– Hostage location known
– Hostage location unknown
Intervention
STRONGHOLD OPTION
• SURPRISE
–
–
–
–
–
Stealth probe to Breach Point
Stealth probe to Contact
Stealth protection of Hostages
At time least expected
Fatigue factor
Intervention
STRONGHOLD OPTION
• DIVERSION
–
–
–
–
Explosive Breach
Noise Flash Device
Ruse
Dialogue with Negotiator
Intervention
STRONGHOLD OPTION
• SPEED (CONTROLLED)
– Multiple entry points when feasible
– Appropriate number of entry personnel to
accomplish the mission
Intervention
STRONGHOLD OPTION
• There should be three distinct plans
– Emergency
– Deliberate
– Contingency
Intervention
EMERGENCY RESCUE
• Timeliness and quick response is
paramount
• Provides an organized response for an
unplanned event
• Should be implemented within 30 minutes
of SWAT arrival
• All available intelligence is evaluated for
tactical consideration
Intervention
EMERGENCY RESCUE
• Considerations
–
–
–
–
–
Number of hostages/hostage takers
Size/complexity of target site
Point(s) of entry
Breach requirements
Bypassing doors
Intervention
DELIBERATE RESCUE
• Used for conduct of all Operations that are
anticipated and allow for preplanning
• Serves as a base for all related operations
• Considered the “Master” plan
Intervention
DELIBERATE RESCUE
• Obtain all available intelligence from the TOC
• Use photos and interior diagrams of the target site
to layout floor plan and rehearse
• Rehearsals should include every possible option to
the last detail
Intervention
DELIBERATE RESCUE
• Stealth Probe
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–
–
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–
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Determine hostage/hostage taker location
Determine ingress route for rescue team
Locate devices/technical problems
Place listening devices
Probe coordinated with TOC and OIC
Emergency rescue team in place in case of
compromise
Intervention
CONTINGENCY
• Focuses thought on anticipated problems
that may arise during the conduct of the
operation
• Allows for operational deviation while
maintaining continuity with the deliberate
plan
Intervention
CONTINGENCY
• Guards against the operation stopping due
to confusion or sudden change in the
situation
• Usually applies primarily to the concept or
execution portions of the Deliberate
Rescue Plan
Intervention
WHAT CONSTITUTES SUFFICIENT PERSONNEL?
• To attempt a Hostage Rescue without sufficient personnel
places too great of a burden on the Entry Team and means they
must unduly jeopardize their own safety
• The size of the Entry Team is dictated by the complexity of the
floor plan and not necessarily the size of the building
Intervention
WHAT CONSTITUTES SUFFICIENT PERSONNEL?
• The single exception is when the location of the Hostage
and/or the Hostage taker can be determined with absolute
certainty
Intervention
WHEN TO INTERVENE ?
• When it appears that the hostage taker may
kill or seriously injure hostages
• When a window of opportunity exist
– The hostage taker has placed himself at a
tactical disadvantage
– An element of surprise exist
Intervention
WHEN TO INTERVENE ?
• Required components are ready
• Supported by diversions
– Negotiations
– Breaching/porting
– Noise flash devices
• Access into stronghold position can be gained
quickly
Intervention
What if we encounter the hostages but the
hostage taker is still outstanding?
• Safeguard the hostages
• Abort HRT and initiate barricade procedures
“THE OBJECTIVE IS TO WIN -NOT TO FIGHT !”
Intervention
What if you have to pass an area of threat ?
• The momentum of the rescue can not be delayed to
search every potential hiding place or area of threat
• This is the security element’s responsibility
• The focus of effort remains on the hostages !
Withdrawal
• The evacuation of the hostage must be planned
• If it is not part of the plan it becomes part of the
problem !
• Hostages may not be willing participants to the rescue
• Hostage takers may take refuge with the hostages in an
attempt to not be identified and escape
• Once the hostages safety is assured the tone of the
operation changes
What Constitutes a
Successful Hostage
Rescue Operation ?
• When the hostages are “rescued”
• When the hostage taker is neutralized
• When the hostages can be
safeguarded/ separated from the
hostage taker
TEAM POSITIONS
POINT
Responsibilities
• Point
– 180 degree security on approach from
LCC
– Identify Objective
– Pace
– I.E.D. Detection
– Controls final breach command
– Guides team to Intervention Staging
Area
SCOUT
Responsibilities
• Scout
– COVER POINT!
– Relay Intel
– Deploy D.D. or Munitions
ENTRY TEAM
LEADER
Responsibilities
• Team Leader
– Provide Cover for Scout and Point
– Exercise Control over team Movement and
Actions
– Make Tactical Decisions that effect operational
integrity
– Supervision of interior aftermath (I.e. trailers,
medical personnel, and Crime Scene)
– Overall Supervision of RESCUE/REACT team
Intervention
MECHANICAL
BREACHER
Responsibilities
• Mechanical Breacher
– Cover aforementioned team members
– Manipulate Gates and Screen Doors/Windows
– Deploy D.D.’s and Munitions
– Carry and deploy mechanical breaching
devices
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Hooligan
Pry
Break and Rake Tool
Master Keys
Shotgun Breaching Munitions
Tow Straps
Lock Pick Tools
Probing devices (I.e Under door Camera)
BREACHER/REAR
GUARD
Responsibilities
• Breacher/Rear Guard
– Breach Primary Entry Point
– Carry and Deploy Heavy Equipment (I.e.
Cutting Torch)
– Cover the rear of the Entry Element as they
progress through a structure.
– Provide Arrest Control for Combative suspects
HOSTAGE RESCUE
TACTICS
DYNAMIC ENTRY
PRINCIPLES
• SPEED
• SURPRISE
• VIOLENCE OF
ACTION
SPEED
• Deliberate action
• Slow is Smooth, Smooth is
Fast
• Flooding Effect
SURPRISE
• Tactics allow stealthy approach
• Psychological Effect
– Clothing
– Equipment
– Overwhelming Senses
VIOLENCE OF
ACTION
• Overwhelm Senses
• Immediate Incapacitation
• Tools and Techniques
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–
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–
–
–
CS GAS
Diversionary Devices
Diversionary Actions
Pain Compliance Munitions
Ruses
Deadly Force
PREPARATION
• Mental
• Physical
• Rehearsals
Assault Initiation
Techniques
EXPLOSIVE
BREACHING
•
•
•
•
Specialized Position
Technical Training
Cost
Liability
Mechanical Breach
•
•
•
•
Ram
Break and Rake
Pry
Modified Shotgun with specifically
designed frangible breaching rounds
MARKSMAN
INITIATED RESCUE
• Primary and Secondary Marksman
may initiate assault by using deadly
force.
• During the course of this initiation it
may Breach the Assault element’s
primary entry point. (i,.e. firing
through a window)
Air Assault
• Deployment from an airborne
facilitator.
Rope Descent
• Rappelling
– Aussie
– Inverted
– Traditional
DYNAMIC ENTRY
• Dynamic– Most Common Approach used for
Hostage Rescue and the Service of High
Risk Warrants.
• Speed
• Surprise
• Confusion
Justification for
Dynamic Entry
•
•
•
•
•
Provides safety by speed of action
Confusion
Overwhelming Senses of Suspect(s)
Preservation of Life and Evidence
Proven Procedure
• Dynamic Entry often utilizes Diversionary and
Sensory Deprivation Tactics to give the Entry
element an advantage over suspects.
• Dynamic entries are often swift in completion and
can be best visualized by releasing a bucket of
water at the entry point. Members begin to flow
in as water would flow into a room. During this
action certain procedure should be followed for
optimal performance of this tactic.
• There are many techniques for
dynamic entries. The principles
remain the same.
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–
–
–
–
–
Penetrate Structure
Clear Corners and Transition Areas
Observe One Meter Rule
React on Suspect Actions
Overwhelm the suspects
Dominate Structure
THE ONE METER
RULE
• The one meter rule refers to the area
of responsibility each operator sweeps
upon entering the objective. Each
operator will scan with his or her
weapon left to right. Upon seeing
another operative within his field of
view the operator must stop their
sweep one meter short of another
operative. This assures interlocking
security sweeps as well as safety.
Diversionary Tactics
• Diversionary Devices
(Flashbangs)
• Smoke
• Sound
• Break and Rake
• Lighting
• CS Gas
• Pain Compliance Munitions
HRT VS. WARRANT
SERVICE
• HRT Objective- Prevent loss of life
and arrest violator(s).
• Warrant Service Objective- Detain or
arrest suspects and or secure a crime
scene.
HRT Entry
• HRT Entry is used as a last resort
to end a critical incident.
• The suspect dictates the use of
this tool.
Stealth Entry Tactics
• Stealth tactics are a common occurrence in
the service of warrants and during HRT
operations.
• Stealth is almost always used upon approach
to the objective and can be used inside the
structure.
• This Tactic is usually very methodic and
deliberate in nature.
• Stealth has the advantage of a slow pace for
the gathering of crucial intelligence as the
team progresses to and in the objective
structure.
• Stealth Entry Tactics may be used due to the
size of a structure.
Combination Entry
Tactics
• Stealth and Dynamic Entry can be used
in combination. The use of stealth up
to a designated point within an
objective is a common occurrence.
Typically Stealth is not used after
Dynamic Tactics are initiated. The
combination of these tactics is often
used in large structures such as grocery
stores or warehouses.
BASIC ENTRY S.O.P
• Danger Areas
–
–
–
–
–
Fatal Funnel
Corners
Hallways
Stairways
Small Rooms (i.e. Closets, Utility
Rooms)
FORMATIONS
• Stack
• Cover, Contact
• Shield Wedge
SUSPECT CONTROL
• Demand Immediate Compliance
– Standardized Voice Commands
• Physical Control
– CCP/Penal Code/Use of Force
Policy
• Deadly Force
• Entry Operations are extremely
hazardous for law enforcement. Each
officer must prepare and maintain
their mental, physical, and skill levels
for the best outcome for all
operations where entries are required.
S.O.P for each agency and team must
be constantly reviewed and strictly
adhered.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION