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TERRORISM - AN EXAMINATION OF ONE SECTION OF THE POLICE RESPONSE - THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT RESPONSE

NCJ Number
66825
Author(s)
R ROBERTS
Date Published
1979
Length
22 pages
Annotation
REQUIREMENTS FOR SUCCESSFUL MIDDLE-OF-THE-NIGHT RESPONSES TO TERRORIST ACTIVITIES ARE DISCUSSED FOR THE AREAS OF INITIAL CONTACT, COMMUNICATIONS, RESPONSE, EQUIPMENT, AND FIREARMS IN THE BRITISH REPORT.
Abstract
THE MIDDLE-OF-THE-NIGHT RESPONSE PLACES THE GREATEST STRAIN ON POLICE ABILITIES AND RESOURCES. LEADERSHIP, EXPERIENCE, AND THE RANK STRUCTURE ARE THE FACTORS WHICH SHOULD ELIMINATE THE INITIAL CONFUSION. ONE OF THE FEW ADVANTAGES UNARMED BRITISH PATROLMEN HAVE OVER TERRORISTS IS IN COMMUNICATIONS. RADIO COMMUNICATORS SHOULD BE TRAINED TO WORK UNDER CONSIDERABLE STRESS. ALSO, PORTABLE RADIO EQUIPMENT OF THE BACKPACK TYPE SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR TRANSMISSIONS TO THE FORCE CONTROL ROOM. BEFORE DEPLOYMENT, EMERGENCY MANPOWER SHOULD BE PROVIDED WITH AN UP-TO-THE-MINUTE BRIEFING. ADEQUATE TRAINING IS REQUIRED FOR EACH OF THE FOUR PHASES OF THE RESPONSE: (1) THE ISOLATION OF SUSPECTS AND THE CONTAINMENT OF THE EVENT, (2) THE COLLECTION AND COLLATION OF ALL AVAILABLE INFORMATION IN ORDER TO PLAN THE RESPONSE, (3) THE ORGANIZATION AND DEPLOYMENT OF UNITS AND THE ALLOCATION OF RESPONSIBILITIES, AND (4) THE EXECUTION OF THE RESPONSE. SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT, SUCH AS BODY ARMOR, SHIELDS, ARMORED VEHICLES, AND EMERGENCY LIGHTING, MUST BE READILY AVAILABLE. ALL POLICE OFFICERS SHOULD BE GIVEN INCREASED KNOWLEDGE CONCERNING FIREARMS SINCE A LACK OF SUCH KNOWLEDGE HAS RESULTED IN DEATHS. THE EFFECTS OF THE DIFFERENT WEAPONS, CARTRIDGES, AND EXPLOSIVES SHOULD BE DEMONSTRATED ON A RANGE. THESE REQUIREMENTS ARE ILLUSTRATED IN EXAMPLES OF RESPONSES TO NIGHT-TIME TERRORIST ACTIVITIES, AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS INCLUDED. FOOTNOTES ARE ABSENT. (RJJ)