First Responder Final Exam

Suicidal people always want to be saved.
1. True
2. False
It is best to minimize the seriousness of any attempted crime by the hostage taker.
1. True
2. False
No matter how unreasonable, exorbitant, or weird a demand, try to avoid telling the subject "no".
1. True
2. False
Bulk food, water, safety and personal care items are examples of
1. things that are non-negotiable
2. topics that should be avoided
3. things that are negotiable
4. topics that should only be talked about when the hostage taker demands it
Why do police agencies negotiate?
1. Preserve life and apprehend subjects
2. Reduce the threat of malpractice or negligence lawsuits
3. Recover and / or protect property
4. All of these choices are correct
Suicide by Cop is an act whereby a person presents no threat to a police officer but tries to compel the officer or officers to use deadly force.
1. True
2. False
According to the FBI (HOBAS), 75% of all hostage / barricade incidents take place in a residence.
1. True
2. False
What does the term "king of the castle" mean.
1. A barricaded person may feel that everyone else should be subservient to them because they are in control.
2. A barricaded person is likely to be extremely territorial when they are at their own home.
3. A suicidal person believes they can do whatever they want when they are in their own home.
4. None of the above
_______________________ is / are the cheapest yet most effective concession you can make.
1. Talking
2. Minimal encouragers
3. Listening
4. Hearing
You should never simply ask the subject to come out or surrender.
1. True
2. False
Which of the following is not a negative aspects of the passage of time?
1. Expense and manpower
2. Injury and illness
3. Pressure for a resolution and expense
4. Increases basic human needs and reduces stress
You should only allow the exchange of hostages....
1. When the hostage taker is threatening to harm someone
2. When you want to enter the hostage site and are armed
3. When the hostage taker demands it
4. Never
If a person is suicidal, what should you NOT ask them . . .
1. Have you decided when you will do it?
2. Do you have a plan?
3. What are you waiting for?
4. Are the means at hand?
If you believe the subject may be suicidal, you should . . .
1. Wait until a trained negotiator arrives before asking the subject about suicide
2. Never bring up suicide
3. Ask indirect questions about it
4. Simply ask them directly
You should only use a female negotiator or first responder when dealing with a male who is threatening suicide.
1. True
2. False
The most important thing that you can do at any critical incident is to ensure your own safety at all times.
1. True
2. False
What are the disadvantages in using a two way radio during a hostage situation.
1. Ties up other radio traffic and may be unfamiliar to hostage taker
2. Hard to understand and battery life may be short
3. The speaker can cut off and you can't determine where the hostage taker is calling from
4. All of the above
Which of the following are things that are not negotiable?
1. Contact with family, water or soda
2. Safety, food, personal items
3. Food, money and access to the media
4. Weapons, trading hostages and alcohol
Repeating (mirroring) the demands back to the hostage taker in a lesser, non-concrete way describes . . .
1. Softening a demand
2. Dismissing a demand
3. Paraphrasing
4. Active listening
Why is the first 15 to 45 minutes of a hostage or barricaded situation critical and usually the most dangerous time?
1. The suspect may be violent or angry and may try to escape
2. Emotions are low and the suspect may be violent and angry
3. Emotions are high and the suspect may be violent and angry
4. None of the above
If you do not understand an unclear statement you should . . . .
1. Ask the subject what they meant.
2. Never ask the subject to repeat what they said.
3. Just move on to a new topic and hope they will repeat what they said.
4. Wait for a trained negotiator to arrive before asking them to clarify what they said.
Why do we get calls from suicidal people?
1. They want someone to know.
2. They are looking for verification and permission.
3. They fear of dying alone.
4. All these choices are correct.
Eating, sleeping, bathroom and drinks are examples of . . .
1. Basic needs
2. Advanced needs
3. Things that are negotiable
4. Things that are never talked about in a critical incident
As a first responder, you should never begin evacuating innocent civilians from the area.
1. True
2. False
One of the main duties of a first responder is to keep a crisis from escalating and to set command response in motion.
1. True
2. False
You should never worry about saying no to a hostage taker.
1. True
2. False
What is the average response time for a trained hostage negotiator to arrive on the scene of a critical incident?
1. 45 minutes to 1 hour
2. 30 to 45 minutes
3. 1 to 2 hours
4. 15 to 45 minutes
During you initial contact, you should identify yourself and tell them you are a police officer.
1. True
2. False
Which of the following is NOT a way to stall and help the passage of time:
1. Allow the subject to ventilate
2. Ask Yes or No questions
3. Paraphrase what the subject says
4. Identify the subjects feelings and emotions
If you are not sure about a statement or demand the hostage taker has made, you should ask them to clarify it in all cases except
1. when it involved money
2. when it was a vague threat
3. when it involved weapons or drugs
4. when you feel it would aggravate them to repeat what they said
What phase of a critical incident is happening when some precipitating event has occurred in the subject’s life; possibly within the last 24 – 48 hours?
1. Crisis
2. Accommodation
3. Pre-crisis
4. Resolution
You should never try to promote the Stockholm Syndrome.
1. True
2. False
Never dismiss any request or demand as trivial.
1. True
2. False
___________ are positive topics that the subject talks about that seems to move the process in a positive direction.
1. Minimal encouragers
2. Hooks
3. Reinforcements
4. Negotiations
First Responders should be used to replace hostage negotiators whenever possible.
1. True
2. False
If a demand is unavailable or unattainable, you should . . .
1. Tell them no
2. Make an alternate suggestion
3. Tell them you will look into it
4. None of the above
When you know someone is suicidal, you should give them advised and debate the pros and cons of suicide.
1. True
2. False
Suicide is the number one cause of death in U.S.A.
1. True
2. False
Always try to negotiate face-to-face whenever you can.
1. True
2. False
Third Party Intermediaries (TPI’s) should only be used by trained negotiations and only after careful consideration.
1. True
2. False
When should you consider trading hostage?
1. Never
2. When there is an injured hostage inside
3. When you think you can be more effective inside the hostage site
4. When the hostage taker begins to get aggravated with one or more of the hostages
Which of the following is the best opening line when making initial contact?
1. "Hello in there, my name is Bob Jones with the Police Department. Is there anyone in there who needs help?"
2. "Hello in there, my name is Sergeant Bob Jones with the Police Department. I'm in charge out here, is everything all right in there?"
3. "Hello in there, my name is Officer Bob Jones with the Anytown Police Department. What the hell is going on in there?"
4. "This is Bob Jones with the Police Department. What do you want?"
What are words or phrases that you can use to let the subject you are listening.
1. Maximum attention
2. Passive listening
3. Minimal Encouragers
4. Emotional labeling
Talking about “everyday matters” will not help build rapport.
1. True
2. False
The only thing you are complete and absolute control over is your own emotions.
1. True
2. False
You shouldn't argue with a subject at a critical incident.
1. True
2. False
Time will always increase basic needs
1. True
2. False
How did Downs Vs. United States changed the way many hostage situations are handled in the US?
1. The ruling stated that law enforcement agencies must always attempt to negotiate prior to using force.
2. The ruling established negotiation as a third alternative to force or escape in emergency situations.
3. The ruling said that police cannot use force without first giving the hostage taker a realistic opportunity to surrender or escape.
4. None of these answers are correct.
Subjects in the pre-crisis stage may . . .
1. Be unable to cope, have anxiety and may feel abandoned
2. Feel isolated, depresses and act irrational.
3. Have emotions that limit their rationality and coping skills
4. All of the above
It is not important to note the hostage takers exact words or your response to them because the negotiation team will ask many of the same questions you already asked.
1. True
2. False