Law enforcement agencies should generally respond to and take necessary steps to free innocent persons who are endangered and being held illegally against their will. During situations that involve conventional hostage takings, agencies should deploy first responding officers to contain the situation and suspects involved when appropriate, pending the arrival of personnel specially trained in negotiations and tactical problem solving. However, agency policy should not prohibit properly trained and equipped first responding officers from taking direct and immediate action—up to and including deadly force—in cases where a hostage is facing deadly jeopardy and the officers’ reasonable actions have a high probability of neutralizing the deadly threat or preventing the situation from escalating.

This document provides guidance and direction for those who respond to and resolve hostage-taking situations.