Policy Text
GO 308 Hostage/Barricaded Subject(s) Page 1 of 5 Rev. 09/24/22
GENERAL ORDER
308 HOSTAGE/BARRICADED SUBJECT(S)
REVISION DATE: 09/24/2022
BY ORDER OF THE CHIEF OF POLICE
SUNNY ISLES BEACH
POLICE DEPARTMENT ORIGINAL EFFECTIVE DATE: 09/24/22
PREVIOUS REVISIONS:
RESCINDS: REFERENCE : 17.06M
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. PURPOSE .......................................................................................................................... 1
B. SCOPE ............................................................................................................................... 1
C. POLICY ............................................................................................................................. 1
D. DEFINITIONS .................................................................................................................. 1
E. PROCEDURES ................................................................................................................. 2
F. PERIODIC REVIEW ....................................................................................................... 5
A. PURPOSE
The purpose of this directive is to provide operational guidance which will be used during the response to and
management of a hostage or barricaded subject incident.
B. SCOPE
This directive is applicable to all sworn members of the Department.
C. POLICY
During a hostage or barricaded subject situation, it is the policy of the City of Sunny Isles Beach Police Department
to consider the safety of the hostages/barricaded subject, citizens and law enforcement members as a priority. Each
hostage/barricaded subject situation is different, but a basic plan may provide members with guidelines to help
defuse the situation safely. Whatever situation does arise, the Department expects its members to react logically
and sensibly. Above all, members shall not fuel a hostage taker’s stress but should strive to contain or limit the
situation. The paramount objective in a hostage/barricaded subject situation is its peaceful resolution and safe
release of hostages.
D. DEFINITIONS
Barricaded Subject: A person who has taken a position of confinement to avoid apprehension
and/or threatening suicide or harm to others.
HOSTAGE/BARRICADED SUBJECT(S)
General Order 308
GO 308 Hostage/Barricaded Subject(s) Page 2 of 5 Rev. 09/24/22
Hostage: People forcibly detained by an offender who threatens to cause death or great bodily
injury to the person held, with the intent to evade arrest, escape, obtain monies or property, or
attain any other objectives.
Hostage Negotiation: The process by which a trained negotiator engages in dialog to gain the
voluntary surrender of a hostage-taker barricaded subject or potentially suicidal subject.
Hostage Negotiation Team: Designated members of the Miami-Dade Police Department (if
MDPD is not available, an agency that SIBPD has an MOU with may be used) who have been
specially trained to negotiate directly with the crisis principal in a situation.
Hostage Situation: Any incident that involves a hostage-taker, barricaded subject, or potentially
suicidal subject.
Hostage Taker: An individual who holds a hostage for any of a variety of motivations, e.g.,
freedom, publicity, financial gain, emotional malady, etc.
Inner Perimeter : The immediate area of containment initially manned by City of Sunny Isles
Beach Police Department members until relieved by the Miami-Dade Special Response Team.
Outer Perimeter : A second perimeter established outside the inner perimeter to prevent persons
and traffic from gaining access into the problem area.
Potential Suicidal Subject: A person who communicates the intent to engage in self-destructive
behavior and who is believed to likely possess the means to carry out these threats.
Special Response Team (SRT): Designated members of the Miami-Dade Police Department (if
MDPD SRT is not available an agency that SIBPD has an MOU with may be used) specially
trained in the use of special weapons and tactics.
Staging Area: Location established where resources can be placed while awaiting a tactical
assignment.
Unified Command (UC): An application of Incident Commander System (ICS) used when there
is more than one agency with incident jurisdiction or when incidents cross political jurisdictions.
Agencies work together through the designated members or the UC, often the senior person from
agencies and/or disciplines participating in the UC, to establish a common set of objectives and
strategies and a single Incident Action Plan (IAP).
E. PROCEDURES:
1. The first 10-20 minutes of a hostage/barricade situation are the most emotionally charged and present the
greatest danger. Stress is high both among the members and citizens involved. Normally, there is no need to
rush to a solution; time may reduce stress and allow communication to begin. Additionally, time is needed to
assess the situation and secure the surrounding area/s.
HOSTAGE/BARRICADED SUBJECT(S)
General Order 308
GO 308 Hostage/Barricaded Subject(s) Page 3 of 5 Rev. 09/24/22
2. The Department’s goal is to present a unified, coordinated, and properly staffed response to hostage/barricade
situations. The management of hostage/barricade situations will be the responsibility of the Incident
Commander who will coordinate all components of the response, to include but not limited to, requesting
Hostage Negotiators and Special Response Team (SRT) from the Miami-Dade Police Department or assistance
from other agencies.
3. Response to hostage/barricaded subject situations may require resources or personnel beyond the capabilities
of the Department. Therefore, based on the statutory responsibilities of all Sheriff’s in Florida and the current
Mutual Aid Agreement with the Miami-Dade Police Department (Annex