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Kidnap Analysis and Hostage

Survival

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Major Philippe PACAUDChief of the French Gendarmerie Afghanistan training cell

- Abroad experience:- UNIPTF (Bjieljina District cdr) - UNMIK police (spoksman)- EUBAM Rafah (SMSO)- EULEX Kosovo (chief ops in Mitrovica)- ISAF ( POMLT/PAT cdr Kapisa)- MALI (Bamako C/P)

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LEARNING OBJECTIVES

List methods to detect/avoid surveillance

List Do and Don’t during the capture phase

List Do and Don’t during the captivity phase

List Do and Don’t during the transfer

List Do and Don’t during the release phase

List Do and Don’t during an armed rescue

List What to do in case of a successful evasion

A G E N D A

1 – KIDNAPPING GENERALITY

2 – KIDNAPPING PREVENTION

3 – KIDNAPPING PHASES DESCRIPTION

1 – KIDNAPPING GENERALITY

11 – VALUE OF AN HOSTAGE RANSOM PROPAGANDA HUMAN SHIELD INFORMATION / INTELLIGENCE RELIGIOUS BELIEF POLITICAL CONCESSIONS TRADE FOR ALLIES BEING HELD CAPTIVE Etc....

12 – WHEN DO HOSTAGES GET TAKEN AFTER SURVEILLANCE AND PLANNING AFTER A FAILED CRIMINAL ACT WRONG PLACE, WRONG TIME ANY TIME - ANYWHERE

2 – KIDNAPPING PREVENTION

21 – TARGET SELECTION AND SURVEILLANCE

TARGET GENERAL SECURITY AWARENESS

TARGET RESIDENCE AND WORKPLACE

TARGET TRANSPORTION MEANS

TARGET ROUTES TO AND FROM

PLACES THE TARGET FREQUENTS

SOFT/HARD TARGET.

22 – PREVENT SURVEILLANCE

CHANGE DAILY ROUTINE

TRY NOT TO ATTRACT ATTENTION• Timings• Routes• Places

BE CONFIDENT WITH YOUR AREA

BE FAMILAR WITH WHAT IS NORMAL IN YOUR AREA

BE AWARE OF SUPPORTING LOCAL PEOPLE• Drivers• Language assistant• Guards

23 – MEASURES TO REACT TO A SURVEILLANCE

IN PUBLIC PLACE ON VEHICLE• Change the speed and observe reaction• At roudabout, drive twice around and observe• Sudden stop and observe

IN PUBLIC PLACE ON FOOT• Use crowded area and chek for followers• Sudden stop/Back and observe

ONCE YOU SUSPECT OR HAVE A CONFIRMATION• Run for a safe place• Do not face the suspected threat• Report back to HQ (duty officer, MSO, etc...)

3 – KIDNAPPING PHASES

31 – The abduction

Resist, Escape or Surrender ?• Environmental factor• Situational factor• Personal factor

Transportation:• By different means• Orientation• Benaviour

YOUR REACTION TO ABDUCTION

MAY INCLUDE• Confusion

• Anger

• Fear

SHOCK OF CAPTUREFIRST 48 HOURS ARE

THE MOST DANGEROUS

32 – DETENTION

Captivity, living condition

• The detention site

• The organization

• Intimidation and Physical attack

• Food and Water

• Hygiene

• Rest

PRESSURES EXPERIENCED IN CAPTIVITY

• System induced:

o Unaccustomed discipline

o Enforced cooperation

o Confinement

o Isolation

o Abuse, physical and mental

o Lack of sleep

o Poor diet

o Dislocation of expectation

• Self inducedo Fear

o Loneliness and despair

o Boredom

o Mistrust

DEPRESSION

YOUR GOAL IS TO SURVIVE

• Establish a rapport• Humanize yourself• Outwardly do not disagree• Find a common bond• Encourage them to appraciate you• Pretend to understand your captors

• Adopt a passive acceptance

• Survive with dignity

• Maintain a passive control

• Outwardly be cooperative

• Consider to escape

SURVIVING CAPTIVITY

• SELF DISCIPLINE• Hygiene• Fitness• Routine

• THINK ABOUT• What to talk about• What not to talk about• Negociate (food, comfort, newspapers,

etc....)

• REMAIN POSITIVE

SURVIVING CAPTIVITY

• THINGS TO DO• Be the grey man, do not stand out

• Stay focused and in control of your action

• Adjust and Adapt

• If you are with mate:• Work as a team: share responsability, protect team

member• Try to diffuse any difficult situations

• Gather information (important for further investigation after the release)

• Location: area, building, room, other details• Captors: nupber, names, description, behaviour...etc...• Weapons, equipment: type, condition, etc...

SURVIVING CAPTIVITY

• THINGS NOT TO DO

• Antagonize your captors

• Get involved in argument

• Compromise the others

• Do anything foolish or life threatening

33 – THE TRANSFER (S)

WHY ? Pressure Logistic difficulties Trade Release...

HOW Car, trucks, foot... Hooding blindfolding

COULD BE OPPORTUNITY

• Escape• Alert

EFFECT

• Dislocation of expectation

• Re-start again• Negative emotions

33 – THE RELEASE

PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO INSTRUCTION

YOU MAY LEAVE COLLEAGUE BEHIND Recall attention Don’t feel guilty Accept it

DO AS YOU ARE TOLD

CRITICAL PHASE They are loosing bargaining chip They feel exposed

34 – ARMED RESCUE

IF YOU HEAR GUNS FIRE OR EXPLOSION

• GO ON THE GROUND AND FREEZE

• HANDS VISIBLE

• DO NOT GET INVOLVED

• FOLLOW ORDERS AND INSTRUCTION

35 – ESCAPE

CHOICE TO RISK LIFE: Yours/others

IF YOU SEE CONDITIONS / OPPORTUNITY

• MOVE FAST AND BE AGRESSIVE

• PUT DISTANCE IN BETWEEN BEFORE YOU STOP

• LISTEN – WATCH – REMAIN IN COVER AND DECIDE....

• CAUTIOUS APPROACH TO PEOPLE

36 – POST RELEASE - RESCUE

INTENSIVE DEBRIEF

MEDICAL TREATMENT

PSHYCOLOGICAL ASPECT

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FINAL THOUGHTS

PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR SECURITY

SHOW THAT YOU ARE IN ALERT

REDUCE THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR HOSTAGE TAKERS

BE A HARD TARGET

STAY ALIVE

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LEARNING OBJECTIVES

List methods to detect/avoid surveillance

List Do and Don’t during the capture phase

List Do and Don’t during the captivity phase

List Do and Don’t during the transfer

List Do and Don’t during the release phase

List Do and Don’t during an armed rescue

List What to do in case of a successful evasion

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DON’T BE PARANOIAC

QUESTIONS