CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCES HOSTAGE SITUATIONS AND COVERS POLICIES REGARDING SUCH SITUATIONS, POLICE RESPONSES, THE USE OF PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSISTANCE, THE THEORY OF NEGOTIATION, AND THE ROLE OF THE NEGOTIATOR. THE PLANNING AND FORMATION OF A POLICE HOSTAGE NEGOTIATING TEAM ARE DISCUSSED IN THE SECOND CHAPTER. TOPICS SUCH AS DEPARTMENTAL POLICY AND THE NEGOTIATING TEAM, THE CHOOSING OF CANDIDATES, AND TRAINING ARE DETAILED. SUGGESTIONS FOR ROLE PLAYING, NEGOTIATING AT THE SCENE, AND METHODS FOR CRITIQUING AN ACTUAL INCIDENT ARE OUTLINED. CHAPTER THREE DISCUSSES TACTICAL APPROACHES TO HOSTAGE SITUATIONS, INCLUDING METHODS FOR FAMILIARIZING OFFICERS WITH POLICY, DUTIES OF THE FIRST OFFICER, RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SUPERIOR OFFICER, POLICE ACTIVITY, COMMAND POST FUNCTIONS, DEALING WITH THE MEDIA, PREPARATIONS FOR MOVING HOSTAGES, AND PREPARATIONS FOR AN EXTENDED SESSION. SUBSEQUENT CHAPTERS TREAT TEAM EQUIPMENT, INCLUDING ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLES; THE PSYCHOLOGY OF DEALING WITH THE SUBJECT, WHICH COVERS STREET PSYCHOLOGY, DRUG USE BY THE SUBJECT, TRANSFERENCE, AND CREDIBILITY; AND TEAM TRAINING. SAMPLE POLICY, A HOSTAGE NEGOTIATING TRAINING OUTLINE, DIAGRAMS OF INNER AND OUTER PERIMETERS, PHOTOGRAPHS AND DESCRIPTIONS OF ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, AND TYPICAL SITUATIONS ARE APPENDED.