CRIM 5

HUMAN BEHAVIOR
AND
CRISIS
MANAGEMENT
 
CRIM. 5: HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND CRISIS MANAGEMENT
 
Human Behavior - anything an individual does that involves
self-initiated action and/or reaction to a given situation. the
sum total of man's reaction to his environment or the way
human beings act
 
Human Beings - Human beings are intelligent social animals
with the mental capacity to comprehend, infer and think in
rational ways.
 
Views in Human Behavior
1. Neurological View – deals with human actions in relation to
events taking place inside the body such as the brain and the
nervous system.
2. Behavioral View – emphasizes on external functions of the
human being that can be observed and measured.
3. Cognitive View – it is concerned with the way the brain
processes and transforms information into various ways.
4. Psychoanalytical View – emphasizes unconscious motives
that originate from aggressive impulses in childhood.
5. Humanistic View – focuses on the subject’s experience,
freedom of choice and motivation toward self-actualization.
 
Two Basic Types of Behavior
Inherited (Inborn) behavior – refers to any behavioral
reactions or reflexes exhibited by people because of their
inherited capabilities or the process of natural selection.
Learned (Operant) behavior – involves knowing or adaptation
that enhances human beings’ ability to cope with changes in
the environment in ways which improve the chances of
survival.
Learned behavior may be acquired through environment
or training.
 
Classifications of Human Behavior
Habitual – refers to motorized behavior usually manifested in
language and emotion.
Instinctive – are generally unlearned and simply comes out of
man’s instinct which can be seen among instinct-instinct
survival behaviors.
Symbolic – are behaviors that are usually carried out by
means of unsaid words and shown through symbols or body
signs.
Complex – are those behaviors that combine two or more of
the classified ones.
 
Causes of Human Behavior
Sensation – is the feeling or impression created by a given
stimulus or cause that leads to a particular reaction or
behavior.
Human Senses:
Visual – sight
Olfactory – smell
Cutaneous – touch
Auditory – hearing
Gustatory – taste
Perception – refers to the person’s knowledge of a given
stimulus which largely help to determine the actual
behavioral response in a given situation
Awareness – refers to the psychological activity based on
interpretation of past experiences with a given stimulus or
object.
 
Factors that affect Human Behavior
Heredity – it is the passing of traits to offspring (from its
parent or ancestors). This is the process by which an offspring
cell or organism acquires or becomes predisposed to the
characteristics of its parent cell or organism.
Environment – refers to surroundings of an object. It consists
of conditions and factors that surround and influence
behavioral pattern.
Learning – is the process by which an individual’s behavior
changes as a result of experience or practice.
 
Personality Traits that Affect Human Behavior
1. Extroversion – characterized by interests directed toward
the external environment of people and things rather than
toward inner experiences and oneself.
2. Introversion – characterized by direction of interest toward
oneself and one’s inner world of experiences. Introverts, in
contrast, tend to be more reserved, less outgoing, and less
sociable.
3. Ambiversion – is a balance of extrovert and introvert
characteristics. An ambivert is normally comfortable with
groups and enjoys social interaction, but also relishes time
alone and away from the crowd.
4. Neuroticism – persons high in neuroticism react intensely
and are generally moody, touchy, depressed, sensitive and
anxious or nervous. They respond more poorly to
environmental stress, and are more likely to interpret
situations as threatening, and minor frustrations as hopelessly
difficult.
5. Psychoticism – is characterized by cold cruelty, social
insensitivity, disregard for danger, troublesome behavior,
dislike of others and an attraction towards unusual. A person
high on psychoticism tends to be impulsive, aggressive
individual without appreciable concern for others.
 
Frustration in Human Behavior
Frustration refers to the situation which blocks the
individual’s motivated behavior. Sustained frustration may be
characterized by anxiety, irritability, fatigue or depression.
 
Three Basic Forms of Conflict
1. Approach-Avoidance Conflict - occurs when an individual
moves closer to a seemingly desirable object, only to have the
potentially negative consequences of contacting that object
push back against the closing behavior.
2. Approach-Approach Conflict - This is a conflict resulting
from the necessity of choosing between two desirable
alternatives. There are usually two desirable things wanted,
but only one option can be chosen.
3. Avoidance-Avoidance Conflict - This form of conflict
involves two undesirable or unattractive alternatives where a
person has to decide of choosing one of the undesirable
things.
 
Coping Mechanism
It is defined as the way people react to frustration. People
differ in the way they react to frustration. This could be
attributed to individual differences and the way people
prepared in the developmental task they faced during the
early stages of their life.
 
Frustration Tolerance
It is the ability to withstand frustration without developing
inadequate modes of response such as being emotionally
depressed or irritated, becoming neurotic, or becoming
aggressive.
 
Broad Reactions to Frustration
Fight – is manifested by fighting the problem in a constructive
and direct way by means of breaking down the obstacles
preventing the person reaching his goals.
Flight – it can be manifested by sulking, retreating, becoming
indifferent and giving up.
 
Different Types of Reaction to Frustration
Direct approach - can be seen among people who handle
their problems in a very objective way. They identify first the
problem, look for the most practical and handy way to solve
it, and proceeded with the constructive manner of utilizing
the solution which will produce the best results.
Detour - when an individual realizes that in finding for the
right solution of the problem, he always end up with a
negative outcome or result. Thus, he tries to make a detour or
 change direction first and find out if the solution or remedy is
there.
Substitution - most of time are resulted to in handling
frustration when an original plan intended to solve the
problem did not produce the intended result, thus the most
practical way to face the problem, is to look for most possible
or alternative means.
Withdrawal or retreat - is corresponding to running away
from the problem or flight which to some is the safest way.
Developing feeling of inferiority - comes when a person is
unable to hold on to any solution which gives a positive result.
Being discourage to go on working for a way to handle a
frustration could result to diminishing self-confidence, until
the time when inferiority complex sets in.
Aggression - is a negative outcome of a person's inability to
handle frustration rightly. Manifestation in physical behavior
 can be observed in one's negative attitudes towards life both
in the personal and professional aspect.
Use of Defense Mechanism – is the most tolerated way of
handling frustration. It is a man’s last result when a person
attempts to overcome fear from an anticipated situation or
event.
Defense Mechanism – is an unconscious psychological
process that serves as safety valve that provides relief from
emotional conflict and anxiety.
 
Common Defense Mechanisms
Displacement - strong emotion, such as anger, is displaced
onto another person or object as the recipient of said
emotion (anger), rather than being focused on the person or
object which originally was the cause of said emotion.
Rationalization - is the defense mechanism that enables
individuals to justify their behavior to themselves and others
by making excuses or formulating fictitious, socially approved
arguments to convince themselves and others that their
behavior is logical and acceptable
 
Compensation - is the psychological defense mechanism
through which people attempt to overcome the anxiety
associated with feelings of inferiority and inadequacy in one is
of personality or body image, by concentrating on another
area where they can excel.
Projection- manifest feelings and ideas which are
unacceptable to the ego or the superego and are projected
onto others so that they seem to have these feelings or ideas,
which free the individual from the guilt and anxiety associated
with them.
Reaction formation - is defined as the development of a trait
or traits which are the opposite of tendencies that we do not
want to recognize. The person is motivated to act in a certain
way, but behaves in the opposite way. Consequently, he is
able to keep his urges and impulses under control.
Denial – when a person uses this, he refuses to recognize and
deal with reality because of strong inner needs.
Repression – is unconscious process whereby unacceptable
urges or painful traumatic experiences are completely
prevented from entering consciousness.
Suppression - which is sometimes confused with that of
repression, is a conscious activity by which an individual
attempts to forget emotionally disturbing thoughts and
experiences by pushing them out of his mind.
Identification - an individual seeks to overcome his own
feelings of inadequacy, loneliness, or inferiority by taking on
the characteristics of someone who is important to him.
An example is a child who identifies with his parents who
are seen as models of intelligence, strength and competence
Substitution - through this defense mechanism, the individual
seeks to overcome feelings of frustration and anxiety by
achieving alternate goals and gratifications.
Fantasy - this is resulted to whenever unfulfilled ambitions
and unconscious drives do not materialize.
Regression – a person reverts to a pattern of feeling, thinking
or behavior which was appropriate to an earlier stage of
development.
Sublimation – is the process by which instinctual drives which
consciously unacceptable are diverted into personally and
socially accepted channels. It is a positive and constructive
mechanism for defending against own unacceptable impulses
and needs.
 
Normal Behavior
This refers to a lack of significant deviation from the
average. Another possible definition is that "a normal" is
someone who conforms to the predominant behavior in a
society.
Social norms – rules that a group uses for appropriate and
inappropriate values, beliefs, attitudes and behaviors.
 
Abnormal Behavior
Literally means "away from the normal". It implies
deviation from some clearly defined norm. In the case of
physical illness, the norm is the structural and functional
integrity of the body.
 
BEHAVIORAL DISORDERS
I. PSYCHOSOMATIC DISORDER
A disorder in which the physical illness is considered to be
highly associated with emotional factors. The individual may
not perceive that his emotional state is contributing to his
physical illness.
 
II. NEUROSIS
Neurosis is a class of functional mental disorders involving
distress but neither delusions nor hallucinations, whereby
behavior is not outside socially acceptable norms. The
distinguishing feature of neurosis is a sustained characteristic
of showing anxiety, fear, endless troubles that carries
significant aspects of the individual’s life.
 
 
III. ANXIETY DISORDERS
Anxiety disorders are blanket terms covering several
different forms of abnormal and pathological fear and anxiety.
People experience excessive levels of the kind of negative
emotions that we identify as being nervous, tense, worried,
scared, and anxious. These terms all refer to anxiety.
 
Forms of Anxiety
A. Phobias
This is an intense, unrealistic fear. In this case, anxiety is
focused so intensely on some objects or situations that the
individual is acutely uncomfortable around it and will often go
to great pain to avoid it.
TYPES OF PHOBIAS
Acrophobia - high places
Agoraphobia - open spaces and market places
Malgophobia - pain
Astraphobia - storms, thunder, and lightning
Gynophobia – fear of dogs
Claustrophobia - closed places
Hematophobia - blood
Mysophobia - contamination or germs
Monophobia - being alone
Nyctophobia - darkness
Ochlophobia - crowds
Hydrophobia - water
Pathophobia - disease
Pyrophobia - fire
Syphilophobia - syphilis
Zoophobia - animals or some particular animals
 
B. Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders
1. Obsession – This is an anxiety provoking thoughts that will
not go away. Thoughts and impulses which occur in the
person’s mind despite attempts to keep them out. They seem
uncontrollable, as if they do not belong to the individual's
mind.
2. Compulsion – It is an urge wherein a person is compelled
to perform some actions against his free will and with duress
as a result of external factors. This is an irresistible urge to
engage in certain pattern of behavior.
EXAMPLES OF COMPULSION
1. Arithomania – the impulse to count anything.
2. Dipsomania – the impulse to drink liquor.
3. Homicidal mania – the impulse to kill.
4. Kleptomania – the impulse to steal.
5. Megalomania – the impulse for fame or power.
6. Pyromania – the impulse to set fire.
7. Suicidal mania – the impulse to take one’s life.
 
IV. SOMATOFORM DISORDERS
"Soma" means body, and somatoform disorders involve a
neurotic pattern in which the individuals complain of bodily
symptoms that suggest the presence of a physical problem, but for
which no organic basis can be found. Such individuals are typically
preoccupied with their state of health and with various presumed
disorders or diseases of bodily organs.
 
Three Distinct Somatoform Patterns
1. Somatization Disorder
This is an intensely and chronically uncomfortable condition
that indirectly creates a high risk of medical complications. It takes
the form of chronic and recurrent aches, pains, fever, tiredness and
other symptoms to bodily illness. Individuals frequently experience
memory difficulties, problems with walking, numbness, block-out
spells, nausea, menstrual problems and a lack of pleasure from sex.
2. Conversion Disorders and Somatoform Pain Disorders
Conversion disorders – are somatoform disorders in which
individuals experience serious somatic symptoms such as
functional blindness, deafness, paralysis, fainting, seizures,
inability to speak or other serious impairments in the absence of
any physical cause.
Somatoform pain disorders – are somatoform disorders in which
the individual experiences a relatively specific and chronic pain
that has a psychological rather than physical cause. It is very
similar to conversion disorders except that the primary symptom
is pain that has no physical cause.
3. Dissociative Disorders
This covers a broad category of loosely related rare conditions
involving sudden alterations in cognition, characterized by change
in memory, perceptions or "identity".
defined as conditions that involve disruptions or breakdowns of
memory, awareness, identity and/or perception.
Types of Dissociative Disorders
a. Amnesia – This refers to loss of memory that can have
either physical or psychological cause. It most often occurs
after a period of intense stress and involves loss of memory
for all or part of the stressful experience itself.
b. Psychogenic Fugue State – This resembles amnesia in that
there is a loss of memory but the loss is so complete that the
individuals cannot remember his or her identity or previous
life.
c. Depersonalization – This refers to experiences in which the
individual feels that he or she has become distorted or
"unreal" or that distortions have occurred in one's
surroundings. One might feel that she is a real robot - even
though she knows she is a real person - or that her room is
not real or that her parents are not real people.
d. Multiple Personality – This is a dissociative disorder in
which the individual shifts abruptly and repeatedly from one
personality to another as if more than one person were
inhabiting the same body. This is commonly known as "split
personality disorder."
 
V. PERSONALITY DISORDERS
Personality disorders, formerly referred to as character
disorders, are a class of personality types and behaviors
defined as “an enduring pattern of inner experience and
behavior that deviates markedly from the expectations of the
culture of the individual who exhibits it”. This category
includes those individuals who begin to develop a
maladaptive behavior pattern early in childhood as a result of
family, social, and cultural influences.
 
Types of Personality Disorders
1. Paranoid Personality – This is characterized by
suspiciousness, hypersensitivity, rigidity, envy, excessive self-
importance, and argumentativeness plus a tendency to blame
others for one's own mistakes and failures and to ascribe evil
motives to others.
2. Schizoid Personality – Individuals with this personality
disorder neither deserve nor enjoy close relationship. They
live a solitary life with little interest in developing friendships.
They exhibit emotional coldness, detachment, or a constricted
affect.
- characterized by a lack of interest in social relationships, a
tendency towards a solitary lifestyle, secretiveness, and
emotional coldness.
3. Schizotypal Personality – Individuals with this type of
personality disorder exhibit odd behaviors based on a belief in
magic or superstition and may report unusual perceptual
experiences.
4. Histrionic Personality – this is characterized by attempt to be
the center of attention through the use of theatrical and self-
dramatizing behavior. Sexual adjustment is poor and
interpersonal relationships are stormy.
characterized by excessive emotionality and attention-seeking,
including an excessive need for approval and inappropriate
seductiveness, usually beginning in early adulthood.
5. Narcissistic Personality – Individuals with this type of
personality have a pervasive sense of self-importance.
A disorder and its derivatives can be caused by excessive praise
and criticism in childhood, particularly that from parental figures.
6. Antisocial Personality – This is characterized by a lifelong
history of inability to conform to social norms. They are
irritable and aggressive" and may have repeated physical
fights. These individuals also have a high prevalence of
morbid substance abuse disorders.
7. Borderline Personality – This is characterized by instability,
reflected in drastic mood shifts and behavior problems.
Individuals with this type of personality are acutely sensitive
to real or imagined abandonment and have a pattern of
repeated unstable but intense interpersonal relationships that
alternate between extreme idealization and devaluation. Such
individuals may abuse substances or food, or be sexually
promiscuous.
8. Avoidant Personality – Individuals with this personality are
fearful of becoming involved with people because of excessive
fears of criticism or rejection.
9. Dependent Personality – This is characterized by inability
to make even daily decisions without excessive advice and
reassurance from others and needs others to assume
responsibility for most major areas of his or her life.
10. Compulsive Personality – This is characterized by
excessive concern with rules, order efficiency, and work
coupled with insistence that everyone do things their way and
an inability to express warm feelings.
11. Passive-Aggressive Personality – The individual with
personality disorder is usually found to have overindulged in
many things during the early years to the extent that the
person comes to anticipate that his needs will always be met
and gratified.
 
VI. AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
The term affect is roughly equivalent to emotion or to
mood. The affective disorders are mood disorders in which
extreme and inappropriate levels of mood
– characterized by periods of depression or elation or both.
- A manic-depressive psychosis
 
VII. SCHIZOPHRENIA
- a psychotic condition marked by withdrawal from reality,
indifference concerning everyday problems, and tendency to
live in a world of fantasy.
- formerly called dementia praecox by Emil Kreaplin, a
German psychiatrist.
- the term schizophrenia was given by Eugene Bleuler which
literally means “splitting of minds”.
 
Types of Schizophrenia
Simple Schizophrenia – is characterized by a gradual decline
of interest and ambition. The person withdraws from social
contacts as well as irritable and inattentive.
Paranoid Schizophrenia – is characterized principally by
delusions of persecutions and/or grandeur. Hallucinations,
usually auditory, are most of time present.
Hebephrenic Schizophrenia – manifests severe integration of
personality and can be observed through inappropriate
giggling and smiling without apparent reasons which to an
untrained observer may only be childish playfulness.
Catatonic Schizophrenia – manifests extreme violence and
shown with excessive motor activity, grimacing, talkativeness
and unpredictable emotional outburst.
 
VIII. PARANOIA
  Paranoiarefers to cases showing delusions and impaired
contact with reality but without the severe personality
disorganization characteristic of schizophrenia.
- The main symptom is characterized by suspicion
 
COMMON TYPES OF PARANOIA
1. Persecutory Paranoia – having delusions of persecution.
2. Litigious Paranoia – both delusions of persecution and
grandeur
3. Erotic Paranoia – delusion that a certain person is in love
with him or her.
4. Exalted Paranoia – with great power of importance.
5. Jealous Paranoia – characterized by irrational jealousy.
 
Copycat Crime
Copycat crime is crime inspired by another crime that has
been publicized in the news media or fictionally or artistically
represented in which the offender incorporates aspects of the
original offense.
 
SEXUAL DEVIANCY
A sexual act that seeks gratification by means other than
heterosexual relationship.
HETEROSEXUALITY – normal sexual relationship between
members of the opposite sex which could lead to
reproduction.
 
TYPES OF SEXUAL DEVIANCY
Homosexuality
- sexual desire towards the same sex
Transvestitism
- obtaining sexual gratification by wearing the clothes of
the opposite sex.
Voyeurism
- obtaining sexual pleasure by watching the members of the
opposite sex undressing or engaging in sexual activities.
Exhibitionism - obtaining pleasure by exposing one’s genitals to
others.
Fetishism - obtaining sexual gratification primarily and
exclusively from specific objects.
Sadism – by inflicting pain to others
Masochism – by inflicting pain upon themselves .
Sodomy – sexual act through the anus of another human being.
Froilism – a form of sexual perversion in which three (3)
persons are participating in sexual act.
Pluralism – a group participates in sexual orgies (sexual
festival).
Cunnilingus – licking of woman’s genitals
Fellatio – sucking the penis
Pedophilia – obtaining pleasure from sexual contact with
children.
Incest – sexual relations between persons related by blood.
Bestiality – sexual intercourse with a living animal.
Necrophilia – desire to engage in sexual intercourse with a
dead body.
 
CRISIS MANAGEMENT
 
Crisis
This refersto unstable and dangerous social condition
characterized by an impending abrupt change involving
economic, military, political, police, societal or personal affairs
that is approaching emergency level event.
- came from the Greek word “CRISIS” which means to
separate.
 
EMERGENCY
Came from the Latin word “EMERGENTIA” which means
dipping; plunging. It is a sudden condition or state of affairs
calling for immediate action.
 
Crisis Management
It refers to the action undertaken to unify and coordinate
resources and efforts to effectively and efficiently quell a
given criminal/life threatening situation.
Also defined as the expert handling of emergency or crisis to
reduce or eliminate danger or damage.
 
EMERGENCY, CRISIS AND DISASTER DISTINGUISHED
If the situation is still controlled and the response given is for
the purpose of containing the situation from getting out of
control, then it is just an EMERGENCY.
If the situation is already beyond normal control what is
happening is already a CRISIS.
If the effects of the crisis can no longer be controlled even by
its author, it is now a DISASTER.
 
Types of Crisis
Natural crisis – is typically natural disasters considered as acts of
God, such as environmental phenomena as earthquakes, volcanic
eruptions, tornadoes and hurricanes, floods, landslides, tsunamis,
storms, and droughts that threaten life, property, and the
environment itself.
Man-Made Crisis
- civil disturbance, revolt, revolution, border incident, war,
kidnapping, hijacking, hostage-taking, terrorists activities, attacks
on government facilities, etc.
 
Objectives of Crisis Management
Resolve without further incident.
Safety of all participants.
Apprehension of all perpetrators.
Accomplishment of the task within the framework of current
community standard.
PURPOSE OF CRISIS MANAGEMENT:
“SALVARI VITAS” – to save lives
 
PHASES OF CRISIS MANAGEMENT
Proactive Phase
- includes prediction, prevention and preparation.
Reactive Phase
- performance, initial action, action, and post action.
 
LEGAL REGIMES IN DEALING WITH CRISIS
Sec. 6, Article XVI, 1987 Constitution
- The State shall establish and maintain one police force,
which shall be national in scope and civilian in character, to be
administered and controlled by the NPOLCOM. The authority
of local executives over the police units in their jurisdiction
shall be provided by law
Sec. 444 and 445, R.A. 7160
- The mayor shall act as the deputized representative of
the NAPOLCOM, which shall exercise operational control and
supervision over the local police forces in the city and
municipality.
 
Hostage Incident
It is any incident in which people are being held by
another person or persons against their will, usually by force
or coercion, and demands are being made by the hostage
taker.
 
Characteristics of a Negotiable Incident
•There must be a need to live on the part of a hostage taker.
•There must be a threat of force on the part of the
authorities.
•There must be demands by the hostage taker.
•The negotiator must be seen by the hostage taker as a
person who can hurt the hostage taker but is willing to help
him.
•There must be time to negotiate.
•A reliable channel of communication must exists between
the hostage taker and the negotiator.
•Both the location and the communications of the incident
need to be contained in order to encourage negotiation.
•The negotiator must be able to deal with the hostage taker
making the decisions.
 
Hostage - Is a person held as a security for the fulfillment of
certain terms
Negotiate - It means to arrange or settle by conferring or
discussing.
Crisis Negotiation - means the use of communication
techniques and strategies to influence a person to change his
behavior in accordance with goals within legal, ethical and
moral constraints.
 
PRIORITIES IN HOSTAGE SITUATION
Preservation of live
Apprehend hostage taker
To successfully negotiate; there must be need to live on the
part of the hostage taker and a threat of force by the
authorities.
 
CATEGORIES OF HOSTAGE-TAKER
PERSONS IN CRISIS
- people who take hostages during a period of prolonged
frustration, despair and problems.
PSYCHOTICS
- mentally-ill people who take hostage during a period of
psychiatric disturbance.
COMMON CRIMINALS
- people who take hostages for personal reason.
PRISONER
- people who take hostage because of dissatisfaction and
discontent regarding their living condition in prison.
POLITICAL TERRORIST
- people who take hostages because of political and
ideological beliefs.
 
HANDLING OF SPECIFIC HOSTAGE SITUATION
1. PROFESSIONAL CRIMINAL
- easiest to handle
- rational thinker
- after assessing the situation and weighing the odds,
usually come to terms with the police.
PROPER HANDLING: show force but refrain from
unnecessary violence or useless killing.
 
2. PSYCHOTIC INDIVIDUAL
- present different and somewhat complex problems
- irrational
PROPER HANDLING: the hostage taker may feel a degree of
pleasure if he finds himself important, being the center of
attraction
- prolonging the time
3. TERRORIST
- more difficult to handle
- when caught, they rationalize by claiming to be
revolutionaries a situation they resolve to die for a cause.
PROPER HANDLING: their causes may deteriorate in the
passage of time.
- if they kill one of the hostages, the negotiators then must
set to save the remaining hostages.
 
HOSTAGE TAKER’S DEMANDS
Negotiable
- food, cigarettes, drinks, alcohol, transportation, media
coverage, freedom
Non-Negotiable
- weapons, ammunitions, drugs, release of prisoners,
exchange of hostages
PRINCIPLES IN HOSTAGE NEGOTIATION
the hostage has no value to the hostage taker
the priorities in the hostage situations are the preservation of
life and the apprehension of the hostage taker, recover and
protect property.
hostage situation must not go violently
there must be a need to live on the part of the hostage taker
 
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS OF THE NEGOTIATOR UPON ARRIVAL
AT THE SCENE OF INCIDENT
1. Containment - controlling situation and area by people
involved.
2. Establish Contact- communicate with the leader
3. Time Lengthening - give more time to the police to organize
and coordinate plan of action.
4. Telephone Negotiation Technique
4.1. Be the caller (talk with the leader only)
4.2. Plan and prepare
4.3. Be ready with graceful exit
4.4. Discipline yourself to listen.
4.5. Do not tell that you are the commander, neither your
rank
4.6. Just tell “My name is…I am a police negotiator and willing
to help.
4.7. Delay tactic – to wear down hostage taker, physically,
psychologically and emotionally. Will also give more time for
police organize and coordinate plan course of action.
4.8. In case hostage taker won’t talk, continue negotiating.
Don’t loss hope!
 
Advantages of Telephone Conversation
1. easier to say NO
2. easier to conclude the conversation
3. conversation is quicker
4. important items are more easily committed
5. caller has the advantage
 
5. Need for face-to-face conversation
Don’t be over anxious
wear body armor
have tactical back-up (snipers)
Face-to-face, maintain proper distance;
Proper distance – 1 to 3 feet.
Intimate distance – about 6 inches
in retreating, face hostage taker slowly backing out of the
door.
6. Surrender approach– start with a position approach, act as
if hostage taker will surrender. Do not talk too much.
Gradually ask him to surrender. Reassurance is the wisest
thing to do. Talk details of surrender process. And explain why
now is better than later.
 
•Crisis Negotiation Bargaining Techniques
• The use of time to increase basic needs, making it more likely
that the subject will exchange a hostage for some basic needs.
• The used of time to collect intelligence on the subject that will
help develop a trade.
• The use of time to reduce the subject’s expectation of getting
what he wants.
• Trades can be made for food, drink, transportation and money.
•Trades cannot be made for weapons or the exchange of
hostages.
• The boss does not negotiate.
• Start bidding high to give yourself room to negotiate.
•Never draw attention to the hostages, it gives the subject too
much bargaining power.
• Manipulate anxiety levels by cutting off power, gas, etc.
 
Stockholm Syndrome
It is the development of unique relations between the
hostages and the hostage taker. A strong attachment of the
hostage victim to the hostage takers after a long period of
captivity, by the hostage became sympathizer of the hostage
takers.
 
CRISIS MANAGEMENT TEAM
 
Team – is a small group of people with complementary skills
who are committed to a common purpose, performance goals
and approach for which they hold themselves mutually
accountable.
 
The Negotiating Team
Negotiator Supervisor – is responsible for the overall
functioning of the negotiating team. In addition to his
supervisory skills, the supervisor must have leadership ability.
He should see to it that the situation is negotiable,
appropriate personnel is available, intelligence is gathered in
timely manner, communications are established, negotiation
strategy is working-out, an appropriate record of the
negotiation is kept and the commander is well informed.
Primary Negotiator – is the direct communication link to the
hostage taker and is responsible for developing verbal tactics,
monitoring and assessing the hostage taker’s level of
emotional arousal and helping the hostage taker engage in
problem solving.
Secondary Negotiator – is the pipeline between the
negotiation team and primary. He helps to develop verbal
tactics, provides moral support for the primary.
Intelligence Officer – is responsible for gathering intelligence
from various sources, interviewing all relevant persons
involved in the incident, collating and disseminating that
information, maintaining and updating status boards and
making sure that all response units are receiving accurate and
timely intelligence.
Mental Health Consultant – is responsible for evaluating the
personality of the hostage taker, recommending negotiation
strategies, monitoring team stress, monitoring stress among
the hostage takers and hostages.
Equipment Officer – is someone who understands technical
information regarding radios, computers, phone systems,
mechanical systems, etc. and can make minor repairs.
Command Post
It is the position from which a unit commander and his
staff exercise command over the hostage incident.
 
Ground Commander is the designated senior officer in
command of the incident. Also termed “incident commander”
 
Inner and Outer Perimeter
Inner Perimeter – is the immediate area of containment as
designated by the on ground commander
Outer Perimeter – is a secondary control area surrounding the
inner perimeter, providing a safe zone for access to the inner
perimeter.
 
The Tactical Team
Is an assault team responsible in carrying out assault
operation whenever negotiation fails. A unit of specially
selected, appointed, trained and equipped officers that
provides assistance in those incidents that would require
special tactics, techniques and equipment.
 
Tactical Team Components
Tactical Supervisor – is responsible for the mobilization of the
members of the team, deployment of the containment team,
development of the tactical plan and operation of the assault
and arrest teams.
The tactical team is divided into three major components:
1. First Component – this component is responsible for
maintaining perimeter control both inner and outer. Also
called containment sub-team.
2. Second Component – the second component is
apprehension and assault team. Members of this sub-team
make an undetected approach to the location, plan and
prepare for the release of hostages, and make an assault if
necessary. Also called apprehension and assault sub-team.
3. Third Component – is the sniper / observer sub-team. The
sniper/observer sub-team (third component) has two
responsibilities:
Provide intelligence on factors present at the location. These
factors may include physical layout, placement of walls,
furniture, specific location of hostages and hostage takers,
clothing and mental state of hostages and hostage takers.
Prepare for a shot on the hostage taker.
Verbal Tactics in Crisis Communications
Concerned attitude – the negotiator communicates with an
attitude that he has genuine interest in the hostage taker.
Example: “Tell me what happened” “That must have been
hard/sad/threatening” and “I’d really like to help you”
Reasonable-problem solver – the negotiator assumes the role
of a leader. Example: “Let’s work together to be sure everyone
is safe” “What would you like to do about this” Let’s see what
other solutions are possible”
Buddy-fellow traveler – it is one of commiseration with the
hostage taker and works well with trapped felons, impulsive
people and antisocial personalities. Example: “Man I hear you,
bosses never understand” “You know how they are about”
Columbo-dumb but trying persona – the negotiator does not
have all the answer but is trying to do the best he can.
Example: “I know it’s taking a long time but we are trying” “I
hate that I can’t help any faster but ____”
Non-judgmental and directing – the negotiator is
compassionate but firm and competent. It is good with
depressed persons, disoriented or dependent people.
Example: “You sound pretty excited, take a deep breath and
relax” “Let’s take this next step slow so nobody gets hurt”
“Check on your people for me to be sure everyone is alright”
 
Active Listening Techniques
Open-Ended Questions/Statements –question or statements
directed at the hostage taker designed to get him to open up
and give a long, verbal answer.
Effective Pauses – not saying anything when the hostage taker
finishes talking, encouraging him to fill the empty or blank
space with additional communications or information. Periods
of silence that is used to emphasize a point or to encourage
the subject to say more.
Minimal Encouragement – saying yes, ok or other verbal
indicators that the negotiator is actually listening to the
hostage taker. Brief, well-timed response that let the subject
knows the negotiator is paying attention. It is a neutral non-
threatening response that can be used with any subject.
Mirroring (Reflecting Feelings) – a response in which the
negotiator mirrors back to the hostage taker the emotions of
the hostage taker in communicating, the negotiator repeats
the last word or phrase.
Paraphrasing – a response in which the negotiator gives the
hostage taker the essence of his message in the negotiator’s
words. The negotiator repeats the subject’s meaning in the
negotiators words. It shows that the negotiator is listening
and understands the content of the subject’s message.
Emotional Labeling (Reflecting Meaning) – a response in
which negotiator let the hostage taker know he understands
the facts and the feelings the hostage taker is communicating.
The use of emotionally descriptive words to show that the
negotiator understands the feelings the subject is
experiencing.
I-Messages – a response in which the negotiator expresses his
emotions in response to the hostage taker. These are
messages that personalize the negotiator without becoming a
personal attack and allow negotiator to introduce new ideas
without raising excessive resistance.
Summative Reflections – a response in which the negotiator
summarizes the main facts and feelings that the hostage taker
has expressed over a relatively long period.
 
Implementation of Methods to Deal with Hostage situation
Rule 22. Hostage Situation of the revised PNP Operational
procedures
Sec.1. Procedures to be followed in a Hostage Situation – the
following steps shall be undertaken:
a. A crisis management task group shall be activated
immediately
b. Incident scene shall be secured and isolated
c. Unauthorized persons shall not be allowed entry and exit to
the incident scene
d. Witnesses’ names, addresses, and other information shall
be recorded. Witnesses shall be directed to a safe location.
Sec.2. Ground Commander – there shall be only one Ground
Commander in the area.
Sec.3. Negotiators – negotiators shall be designated by the
Ground commander. No one shall be allowed to talk to the
hostage-taker without clearance from the negotiating panel
or Ground Commander
Sec.4. Assault team – an assault team shall be alerted for
deployment in case the negotiation fails. Members of the
assault team shall wear authorized and easily recognizable
uniform during the conduct of the operation Bonnets shall
not be used.
Sec.5. Assault plan – the assault shall be planned to ensure
minimal threat to life for all parties.
Sec.6. Support Personnel – an ambulance with medical crew
and a fire truck shall be detailed at the incident.
Sec.7. Coordination – proper coordination with all
participating elements shall be done to consolidate efforts in
solving crisis.
Sec.8. Safety of Hostage(s) – in negotiating for the release of
a hostage, the safety of the hostage shall always be
paramount.
Sec.9. Procedures to be followed during negotiations
 
The following shall be undertaken in the conduct of
negotiations:
a. Stabilize and contain the situation;
b. Select the right time to make contact with the hostage-
taker;
c. Take time when negotiating;
d. Allow hostage-taker to speak;
e. Don’t offer the hostage-taker anything. What he will ask for
will be part of the negotiation;
f. Avoid directing frequent attention to the victim when
talking to the hostage taker;
g. Do not call them Hostages. Be as honest as possible; avoid
tricks; be sincere;
h. Never dismiss any request from the hostage-taker as trivial
or unimportant;
i. Never say “NO”
j. Soften the demand
k. Never set deadline; try not to accept a deadline;
l. Do not make alternate suggestions not agreed upon in the
negotiation;
m. Do not introduce outsiders (non-law enforcement officers)
into the negotiation process, unless their presence is
extremely necessary in the solution of the crisis; provided
that they shall be properly advised on the do’s and don’ts of
hostage negotiations;
n. Do not allow any exchange of hostages, unless extremely
necessary; in particular, do not exchange a negotiator for a
hostage;
o. Avoid negotiating face-to-face; and
p. Law enforcement officers without proper training shall not
be allowed to participate in hostage negotiations.
 
The Aftereffects of Captivity
Emotional Aftereffects – the hostage taker is unable to
emotionally relax, remains fearful of the future, and becomes
apprehensive, tense, and nervous, experiencing an anxiety
like attack. The ex-hostage may shake uncontrollably,
experiencing unexplained fear.
Cognitive Aftereffects – the hostages believed they failed
themselves, co-workers, friends and family. That somehow
they are less of a person for having been captive. Self-
criticizing and second-guessing are common. Statements such
as “if only I had done so and so I wouldn’t have been
captured”, are commonly heard.
Behavioral Aftereffects – this include social and self-isolation,
uncontrollable crying, and increase or decrease in aggression,
poor concentration, intrusive thoughts, trouble with authority
figures, an increase startle response and alcohol and drug
abuse.
Physical Aftereffects – this include the following:
a. Sleep disorder – most common physical aftereffects. Some
cannot sleep the entire night, some sleep too much than they
did before captivity, some sleep much less, some can only cat-
nap. Some requires medication to sleep. Some do not enter
into Stage 4 sleep and some very seldom engage in Rapid Eye
Movement (REM) sleep.
Stage 4 Sleep – is the deep sleep that immediately precedes
REM sleep, it is necessary for the body to replenish itself and
it is the sleep where the greatest physiological benefits are
derived.
 
b. Nightmares – include sights, sounds, smells, tastes, physical
pains and emotions of captivity.
 
c. Withdrawal from Close Personal Relationship – the ex-
hostage may erect an invisible wall and not allow anyone
inside that wall.
 
Medical Aftereffects – majority of hostages do not experience
medical aftereffects, however to a few who experienced
prolonged, severe, and physical abusive captivity, medical
aftereffects may be an issue.
Positive Aftereffects – some hostages may experienced
positive effects of the incident in which instead of having
lowered self-esteem, have heightened self-esteem. They
believed themselves to be better people for having suffered
and endured captivity and it made them a better person.