4-08/001.00 Hostage Incidents

PURPOSE OF ORDER:

The purpose of this order is to establish procedures on handling a hostage situation and potential hostage threats.

SCOPE OF ORDER:

This order shall apply to all personnel assigned to and/or working in any capacity at the Inmate Reception Center (IRC).

ORDER:

This order will assign specific tasks to be performed by both supervisors and custody personnel in the event of a hostage situation.

In any hostage situation, every effort shall be made to ensure the safe release of the hostage(s) and the apprehension of the suspect(s), while preserving, to the fullest extent possible, the lives of staff, non-involved inmate(s), and the suspect(s).

HOSTAGE SITUATION:

• When a person(s) is seized or kidnapped by another
• When the suspect threatens to injure the person(s) held
• When the suspect demands the release of a person(s) in custody
• When the suspect makes any other demands

PROCEDURES:

• Full Lockdown of the facility shall be initiated, and the surrounding area(s) secured
• Containment of the incident location shall be kept and maintained
• Telephones and televisions in the incident location shall be disconnected
• Notification shall be made to the unit commander and area commander in accordance with Custody Division Manual (CDM) 4-07/010.00, “Notification and Reporting of Significant Incidents”
• Communication and coordination of any additional resources that may be needed

(e.g., ERT, additional personnel, staging of medical and resources, etc.)

ASSUMPTION OF COMMAND AND CONTROL:

The on-duty watch commander shall assume control of any hostage situation and shall serve as the incident commander, until properly relieved by a ranking officer in the chain of command.

Refer to CDM section 5-06/110.35, “Incident Commander” for additional information.

CONDUCT OF PERSONNEL:

It is essential that personnel do not engage in individual action unless forced to do so by the totality of the circumstances.  Any action taken by custody personnel shall be immediately reported to the incident commander.  Personnel shall follow orders from the incident commander and Emergency Response Team (ERT) sergeant(s) regarding reporting locations, deployment, response routes, inmate and civilian control, and other appropriate orders.

Refer to Manual of Policy and Procedures (MPP) section 5-06/110.20, “Individual Action” for additional information.

COMMUNICATION WITH THE SUSPECT(S):

Communication with the suspect(s) shall be established as soon as possible.  The incident commander is  responsible for controlling and designating personnel regarding communications with the suspect(s).

USE OF DEADLY FORCE:

The on-duty watch commander or incident commander may authorize deploying deadly weapons inside the secure area of IRC.  Deputies shall adhere to Department policy governing the use of firearms.  The safety of hostages and personnel shall be the primary concern.  No deadly weapons shall be brought into IRC without a full lockdown being completed and only when all inmates have been placed and secured into a holding cell.

SPECIAL WEAPONS TEAM (SWT):

A Special Weapons Team (SWT) may be requested by any sworn member of the Department through the Special Enforcement Bureau (SEB) desk. The incident commander shall maintain operational control of the incident. The SWT will assess the situation and determine the appropriate tactics to be employed. The SWT commander shall be responsible for the tactics and deployment of their team and shall jointly review and initiate all team actions with the IRC incident commander. Upon deployment, the SWT shall assume responsibility for the primary containment area and may relieve IRC personnel for reassignment as directed by the IRC incident commander.

If SWT is requested, the incident commander shall notify the unit commander, area commander, or duty commander.

Refer to MPP section 5-06/110.65, “Special Weapons Team” for additional information.

CRISIS NEGOTIATION TEAM (CNT):

A Crisis Negotiations Team (CNT) is available on a twenty-four (24) hour basis by contacting the SEB desk. The incident commander shall deploy the CNT to assist in handling negotiations with suspects as soon as practical. CNT members are highly trained negotiators, but it is not within their scope of deployment to select the appropriate operational tactics. Such decisions remain the responsibility of the incident commander. The CNT members are qualified to determine the most appropriate technique of negotiation and will do so, subject to review by the incident commander.

For additional information, refer to MPP section 5-06/110.50, “Crisis Negotiations Teams” for additional information.

OPERATIONAL AND TACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS:

     When met with a hostage situation, personnel shall consider the following factors:

• The mental state of the suspect(s) and/or hostage(s)
• The physical condition of the suspect(s) and/or hostage(s)
• The suspect’s motivations and stated objectives
• The involvement and proximity of bystanders
• The type of location where the hostage(s) are being held
• The possession of any weapon(s)

An area inside the facility that is either identical or similar to the location of the hostage situation shall be identified and utilized for developing a tactical plan.

FIRST PERSONNEL ON SCENE:

• Immediately notify Main Control personnel until relieved by the watch commander or incident commander
• Request for full lockdown of IRC
• Request appropriate resources to the location of the incident (sergeant and ERT) to contain the incident
• Immediately contain the area
• Determine the physical condition of the hostage(s)

MAIN CONTROL PERSONNEL:

• Notify the watch sergeant and watch commander
• Initiate full lockdown, if necessary
• Coordinate facility resources toward the incident location
• Ensure no inmates are brought in or out of the facility until further notice
• Notify unaffected work areas regarding the incident
• Account for visitors and staff
• Notify Correctional Health Services (CHS) and Los Angeles General Medical Center of the potential emergency treatment for inmate(s) and/or personnel, if necessary
• Notify CHS mental health personnel and request they respond to the incident location if deemed necessary by the incident commander
• Maintain an accurate facility count

FIRST SUPERVISOR ON SCENE:

• Assume command of the incident
• Identify and reinforce the containment of the incident as needed
• Establish a secondary containment as needed
• Coordinate the removal of uninvolved inmates from the incident location
• Identify and remove civilian personnel from the incident location as needed

WATCH COMMANDER/INCIDENT COMMANDER:

• Assume command of the incident
• Determine if a command post is necessary, and establish the command post based on incident command guideline
• Make notifications to:

• • Unit Commander
  • Area Commander
  • Custody Services Division – General Population chief
  • Sheriff’s Information Bureau (SIB) regarding Department notifications and media liaison
  • Any other pertinent Department entities given the totality of the circumstances

• Initiate efforts to obtain important information, (e.g., suspect[s] involved, weapons used, mental state of suspect[s], physical condition of the hostage[s])
• Direct custody personnel to disconnect inmate phones and televisions in the incident location
• Coordinate duties of ERT leaders

The decision to implement a tactical plan or response should be founded on the incident commander’s belief that an undue loss of life will be prevented, or there is an imminent threat of great bodily injury to the hostage.  When personnel are confronted with a hostage situation, and an opportunity of tactical advantage exists, the incident commander shall not be constrained from seizing said tactical advantage and implementing an immediate tactical response.

RESOURCES:

Special Enforcement Bureau 24-hour Desk: (323) 881-7800

02/18/26 IRC