Guidelines were developed for dealing with barricaded felons and hostage situations. Various specific responsibilities and functions were delegated to the Patrol Division, the Emergency Services Division, and the Detective Bureau to eliminate any impulsive or uncoordinated actions which might cost human life. In phase 1, at the hostage site the captor and his hostages are contained and police personnel and resources are consolidated. Dedicated communication enables all police personnel to be involved and informed about what is taking place. Phase 2, the mobile part of the operation, allows for moving the operation from a fortress-like situation to another location that might afford a tactical advantage. In phase 3, containment, consolidation, and intelligence are recommenced, and the Emergency Services Division provides relief for detectives on containment positions. While direct assault or use of sharpshooters or chemical agents are possible courses of action in hostage situations, New York City has opted for a policy of containment and negotiation. Negotiation buys time, permitting the development of empathy between the captor and his hostages and thereby decreasing the likelihood that the captor will harm hostages. Seventy members of the Detective Bureau have been trained as negotiators. The 4-week course consists of training in psychology, physical training, use of firearms and electronic equipment, operation of emergency and chase vehicles, liaison with other agencies, and periodic retraining. The New York plan has been used successfully in many jurisdictions. Since the program's inception in 1973, not a single hostage, perpetrator, or police officer has been killed. Photographs are provided.