This thesis explores the interpersonal and situational dynamics of hostage negotiation situations through an analysis of responses to a survey. A brief historical overview is presented which provides the reader with information regarding hostage takings and the various responses employed by authorities in the past. Hostage negotiation tactics in North America were first developed by Frank Bolz and Harvey Schlossberg, veterans of the New York City Police Department. From these beginnings, police departments developed and trained their officers to become hostage negotiators. A review of the academic literature in Canada and the United States provides information on various approaches researchers have employed when studying hostage negotiations. Negotiation processes, efficacy of negotiations, and officer suitability are subjects included in the review. The findings indicate that 70% of hostage-takings are of a domestic nature and that the majority of hostages taken are women and children. The hostage-takers are predominantly male and are normally known or related to the hostage. In cases where poor communications, and/or an escalated threat developed, the outcome usually ended in an assault. In cases where there was a previous association between a hostage-taker and a member of the negotiating party, or when a suspect had a previous criminal record, negotiations had a higher probability of resulting in a peaceful outcome. A central problem in police negotiation strategies consists in identifying and classifying the hostage takers. Once this has been accomplished, an appropriate communication strategy can then be devised and implemented. The thesis concludes with a discussion of the results and recommendations for future negotiation strategies and training in the area of hostage-taking. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:uottawa.ca/oai:ruor.uottawa.ca:10393/10350 |
| Date | January 1995 |
| Creators | Zatwarnitski, Todd A. |
| Contributors | Roberts, Julian, |
| Publisher | University of Ottawa (Canada) |
| Source Sets | Université d’Ottawa |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 100 p. |
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