The Surrender Ritual

After working for many hours, or even days, the conclusion of a crisis and hostage incident can be incredibly tense and stressful.  Wanting to avoid any pitfalls that could derail the negotiation, the negotiator has to avoid the desire to move quickly with the subject turning him or herself voluntarily over to the authorities.

The following article by Dr. Laurence Miller from PoliceOne.com describes more about the "surrender ritual":

Anatomy of an Abduction

Among the interesting tidbits in this is the high reward for engaging in terrorist-related kidnappings this while also, like this infographic shows, there was little or no planning. 

With little planning, an ill-equipped group of Islamic extremists succeeded in kidnapping 32 European citizens in the Algerian desert in 2003, holding them for up to six months and ransoming them for 5 million euros.

Communicating Effectively for Successful Hostage Negotiations & Crisis Intervention

Enjoy the following paper written by James L. Greenstone.

Here's the abstract:

Whether it is a barricaded crisis situation or negotiations with a bad actor holding hostages, the keys to success are the skills of the negotiator or intervener to effectively communicate.

Little else matters if communications is not established, maintained and utilized in such a way that management of the instant situation becomes possible.

Most negotiators think that they are effective communicators.

 Some are. 

Many are not.

Communications must be practiced over and over again to assure proficiency.  This article provides the rudiments of the skills needed for success in the field.

Read the full article [HERE]. 

Job Opening at the UN

HOSTAGE SURVIVAL INSTRUCTOR – SSAFE TRAINING

To apply and for questions, visit [HERE]. 

Location :	Nairobi, KENYA
Application Deadline :	17-Jul-14
Additional Category	Crisis Prevention and Recovery
Type of Contract :	Individual Contract
Post Level :	International Consultant
Languages Required :	English
Starting Date : (date when the selected candidate is expected to start)	01-Sep-2014
Duration of Initial Contract :	12 months
Expected Duration of Assignment :	12 months (3 –year retainer basis)

Background

In 2004, a proposal for strengthening and unifying the United Nations security management system was presented to the 59th session of the General Assembly in Report A/59/365 of 11 October 2004. This resulted in the adoption of General Assembly Resolution (A/RES/59/276, XI, 7 - 23 December 2004) that created the Department of Safety and Security merging the security management component of the Office of the United Nations Security Coordinator (UNSECOORD), the Security and Safety Services (SSS) and the civilian security component of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) into a single security management framework.

Your Stress is Contagious

Crisis and hostage negotiators- your verbal and nonverbal actions are contagious.  As "guides" in assisting people involved in a crisis, you can help or hinder them on their journey.

Sometimes your actions and words spoken are purposely done, yet other times unknowingly you "leak" out anxiety, stress, and discomfort.

In This Corner: If It's Broke, Don't Fix It

By Lynne Kinnucan

If It's Broke, Don't Fix It...

At least not right away. Hostage negotiators will tell you that resolving the problem is the last thing they do. Before you solve any problem, you must reach the person inside it: the furious, out-of-control man with a gun, the shadowy figure ready to jump off a bridge.

Enter the Active Listening Skills, “law enforcement’s most powerful nonlethal weapon”. Derek Gaunt drills them into his trainees “every single day, from the afternoon of their first day to the day they graduate from the advanced class. I want these skills ingrained in them.”