Topic > Understanding crisis dynamics and response strategies

IndexHostage TakersWarning and Success SignsStockholm SyndromeConclusionReferencesThroughout the career of a police officer there are many incidents where a crisis can occur, being a hostage situation, it is very stressful for an agent to encounter (Harmening, 2014). The importance of communication is the fundamental objective to save the life of an innocent person, without it there would be no positive outcome (Harmening, 2014). With extensive training, law enforcement officials are prepared to handle these types of dangerous situations, attempting to achieve a safe hostage release or safe rescue (Harmening, 2014). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Hostage Takers There are four types of hostage takers; criminal, ideological, domestic, driven by frustration and disordered thinking (Harmening, 2014). The two that will be discussed in this article are criminal kidnappers and domestic kidnappers. Criminal kidnappers use hostages to achieve two things; achieve desired goals or escape from a set of circumstances (Harmening, 2014). This revolves around intentional criminal hostage-taking, which is the act of committing the crime for a reason (Harmening, 2014). While a criminal who takes hostages to defend himself has no intention of taking a hostage but as events unfold, the offender is forced to make such a decision (Harmening, 2014). Usually the situation they find themselves in is one of committing another crime or simply pure panic (Harmening, 2014). This is dangerous because, as the crisis continues to worsen, the offender may become agitated and unpredictable (Harmening, 2014). An example of an intentional kidnapper would be a perpetrator who kidnaps and holds a hostage for their own wants and needs. As for a defensive criminal hostage taker, an example would be taking a taxi driver hostage to get to a specific destination while the cops are chasing him. Warning and Success Signs There are many warning signs when a hostage situation occurs, it is important for the negotiator to know when it is necessary to take other measures and transfer the situation to the tactical team (Harmening, 2014). An example of this would be if the captor is in a state of great agitation and threatens to kill the hostage in the event of a negotiation. In opposition to danger signs are signs of success, which are peaceful resolutions (Harmening, 2014). An example of a sign of success is when a kidnapper is willing to come out and express what they want and why. This shows their vulnerability and the fact that they want to get out of the situation peacefully. Stockholm Syndrome Stockholm syndrome is a psychological change in a hostage that causes them to develop a bond with their captors during captivity (Harming, 2014). When the police arrive to help the hostages, after the support of the kidnappers, they sometimes work against the police. An example in the media is that of 19-year-old Patty Hearst. On February 4, 1974, during the morning, a group of domestic terrorists armed with firearms broke into Hearst's apartment (Sweeney, G. 2016). Hearst's boyfriend was beaten and Hearst was placed in the trunk of a car (Sweeney, G. 2016). The FBI learned that Hearst's kidnappers identified themselves as the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA) and their goal was to declare war on the United States (Sweeney, G 2016). By their own admission, they kidnapped Hearst 28, 2019.