ABSTRACT
With improved communications systems and deployment techniques, the very fact that o›cers are able to respond quickly may precipitate a hostage situation. „ere have been many occasions in which o›cers have responded to robbery calls only to –nd the robbers still inside the store. With escape blocked, it is not inconceivable that clerks or customers could be taken hostage. However, there are appropriate response tactics, which if employed properly, could preclude such hostage taking or at least minimize the chances of it happening.
