Among MANY takeaways, this is just one recommendation worth further discussion:
I recommend that the NSWPF develop a cadre of counterterrorist negotiators and provide them with appropriate training to equip them to respond to a terrorist siege. (rec. 21/334, p. 314)
The Sydney Morning Herald shared the following in this article:
Among his key recommendations were:
- an overhaul of police negotiator training
- the creation of a specialist cadre of counter-terrorism negotiators
- a reconsideration of the entrenched philosophy of "contain and negotiate"
- a clarification of snipers' legal power to shoot
- a review of the the threshold for calling out the Australian Defence Force in domestic terrorism situations
- the sharing of criminal bail histories among all Australian jurisdictions
- more collaboration between NSW Health and NSW Police to identify "fixated" offenders
- an overhaul of the ASIO triage system for tip-offs
- The “contain and negotiate” police response to the siege failed.
- Commanders underestimated the threat Monis posed.
- There was some confusion around the lines of command.
- Negotiators had received little, if any, specialist training about how to deal with terrorists and did not explore options to communicate with Monis.
Barnes said it was “entirely appropriate” for police to refuse Monis’ demands to be broadcast on radio, but options could have been explored.
“A compromise could have been explored, such as an offer to let a released hostage read a statement prepared by Monis and vetted by police. The opportunity to use this and to foster engagement with Monis was not sufficiently considered.”
Police could have also communicated better with hostages. The failure to do so increased their sense of abandonment, he said.