Kidnap & Ransom - Part two - Circuit Magazine

Kidnap & Ransom - Part two - Circuit Magazine - Protection

source: https://circuit-magazine.com/kidnap-ransom-part-two/

Understanding Ransom Demands

In the previous issue we walked through what happens in the first hours after a kidnapping, we considered the critical factors relating to the initial contact, and we took a close look at the role of the communicator (see Issue 49). Now, we’re going to move on and look at the financial implications of ransom demands and what factors might impact it.

Financial Criteria K&R professionals understand ransom, and that ransom demands are contingent on the adversaries’ expectations, or the “going rate,” and a significant factor in determining the going rate for the ransom is the location of the kidnapping. The K&R expert will help you understand the most recent and differing ransom structures for places like Mexico City, Columbia, Iraq, Somalia, Nigeria, Malaysia, Indonesia, etc. They will also research and obtain valuable intelligence regarding any previous kidnappings conducted by the captor, including the credibility of their threats, their propensity for violence, and past ransom amounts paid by victims’ families and companies in that location. When considering previous ransom amounts, it is important to make note of the nationality of each victim as hostages from Western nations tend to have a much higher going rate than other nationalities. This intelligence will be instrumental in estimating the final amount you might have to pay to secure the release of the hostage. Another critical factor used to determine the ransom sum is the amount of funds available and/or agreeable to be paid. Statistics show that in many cases, the captors will settle for approximately 10 percent of the original demand.

The K&R consultant must insist the kidnapper(s) provide a credible “proof of life” before making the initial counteroffer. This reinforces the constant message that the ransom payment is directly related to the welfare of the hostage. As a rule, the initial counteroffer to the first demand should be about two-thirds of the amount what you have determined the going rate for the hostage. You should try to utilize a strategy that allows for several counteroffers before reaching the final amount with the kidnapper(s). Additionally, the initial counteroffer should not be made until the kidnappers have lowered their initial demand. Then, increases are made in decreasing increments. Also, you will want to offer odd amounts of money as a technique used to portray your difficulty in raising funds and is often very effective when dealing with the kidnap of a family member.

When determining the initial counteroffer amount, it should be high enough to ensure the victim’s safety and not insult or anger the captors. If the kidnapper(s) perceive a lack of sincerity regarding the negotiation effort, they may feel compelled to commit violence against the victim in an attempt to force the ransom amount to increase. Finally, you must carefully consider the amount of the initial counteroffer to avoid inflating the adversary’s expectations.

Preventing the Double Dip One critical thing to remember throughout the process is that the professional K&R negotiator is there to serve as a dispassionate, objective party to avoid payment pitfalls. Regardless of the financial resources available to the victim’s company or family, you must refrain from prematurely paying too large a ransom, too early in the process. This mistake can easily signal to the kidnapper(s) that a bigger jackpot is available if they push for it and may result in what is often referred to as a “double-dip.” A double-dip occurs when both sides seemingly agree on a payment, but rather than resulting in the hostage’s release, it merely becomes a down payment. Further demands for more money are then made by the kidnapper(s). A basic behavioral principle, seen in everyday human behavior, may come into play during ransom negotiations. This is the principle that people do not appreciate what they do not work hard to earn. If the kidnapper(s) obtain the ransom demanded with little or no resistance, and in a relatively short period of time, this can lead to them making additional demands for more money, perceiving there are more funds available.

The idea of prolonging a victim’s captivity by hastily agreeing to the captor’s ransom demand seems counterintuitive. It can be challenging trying to convince a hostage’s company or family that it is in the hostage’s best interest to extend the negotiation process. Understandably, many victim’s families confuse a ransom payment for the release of their loved one with the relatively simple process of buying a car. However, negotiating for human lives is a complicated and very psychological process, fraught with critical nuances that only trained and experienced professionals can understand. That is why you must employ a professional K&R specialist to secure the release of the hostage. As I mentioned before, you must incorporate kidnapping into your crisis management and response plan and exercises, select a professional K&R consultant and familiarize your C-suite and the protectee’s family members to kidnap and ransom and the process.

Law Enforcement and the Kidnap & Ransom Incident It is routine for kidnapper(s) to demand no involvement from law enforcement during the post-incident process. You must, therefore, make the critical decision early in proceedings as to what degree you will engage with law enforcement in what is likely to be a foreign jurisdiction. Law enforcement’s priorities will include the identification, apprehension and prosecution of the kidnappers, and may hinder the negotiation process. Police pressure can have a negative impact on the time/money relationship that is present during all kidnap and ransom incidents. Therefore, it is strongly encouraged that companies and families retain the services of a security consultant with a proven track record in kidnap and ransom negotiations since the consultant will already have established relationships with law enforcement and military in the countries where K&R is most prevalent.

The taking of a U.S. citizen hostage or a ransom demand made against the U.S. Government, regardless of the victim’s citizenship, is a violation of U.S. federal law. The FBI, through its Crisis Negotiation Unit, is recognized as the official negotiation arm of the American government. Under the direction of the U.S. Ambassador, the FBI is the lead agency for the development and implementation of negotiation strategies, the conduct of investigations, and the collection of evidence. The FBI will coordinate the government’s response to a kidnapping but will not take over decision making. Critical decisions, such as whether to pay a ransom, always remain the responsibility of the victim’s family or company. The FBI will not provide the funds nor make the delivery of any ransom payment outside the United States. Corporations and families still must make these tough calls while managing the incident.

Know the Laws of the Jurisdiction Where the Incident Occurre It is essential that you know and understand the laws of the jurisdiction where the K&R incident occurred as some countries require mandatory notification to authorities that a kidnapping has occurred and/or that you obtain governmental permission to negotiate with kidnapper(s). In fact, in the U.S. and U.K., unlike many other countries, official policy is never to make concessions to kidnappers and hostages have died as a result. By researching in advance, the legal requirements of the countries where your client operates, it could allow you to save precious time when an incident occurs and respond with confidence.

In some cases, an open exchange of information with in-country authorities can result in permission to make a ransom payment when there are simply no other options for the victim’s safe release. Ultimately, this may also help authorities realize that kidnap negotiation is an important investigative tool that provides intelligence and may develop potentially exploitable options for law enforcement. In some cases, you may be able to reach an agreement with law enforcement whereby authorities agree to wait to take any action against the kidnapper(s) until the hostage is safely recovered. In exchange for the hostage’s family or company promising to make the victim available for debriefing and their full cooperation with law enforcement investigation and prosecution of the kidnapper(s).

In most cases, cooperation with law enforcement is preferred; however, you must remember that cooperation is a mutual process that can build trust. A robust liaison with authorities can increase the ability to influence law enforcement actions, which are critical when there is a need to prevent officials from attempting a high-risk hostage rescue operation. Constant contact with trusted law enforcement officials can yield both short and long-term benefits.

The Hostages Family Both the protective services professional and/or the hostage’s company should be prepared to spend a considerable amount of time and resources supporting, advising, and protecting the hostage’s family. Serious consideration should be given as to which executive-level official will make the initial in-person notification, and who will be assigned as the full-time family liaison for the duration of the incident. The victim’s family will likely feel isolated, perceive that information is being filtered or not accurately being conveyed, and that the company is not doing enough to secure their loved one’s release. These feelings are quite common and understandable during these types of incidents. The company needs to form a cohesive front with the family and provide realistic assessments and genuine assurances that they are equal players in the incident.

For this reason, there are two areas that must be addressed with the family of the hostage, as soon as possible. First is how to handle contact with the captors. The second issue is the best approach for managing any media contacts associated with the incident.

Communication from the kidnapper(s) with the hostage’s family is very common and should be expected. The kidnapper(s) realize the emotional impact they can have when they manipulate the victim’s family against the victim’s company and will likely attempt to do so in an effort to secure their ransom. They understand that the family can apply tremendous and even constant pressure on the victim’s company to quickly submit to their demands. By the company providing the victim’s family with concrete guidelines, you can minimize the likelihood of this type of manipulation. Additionally, you can increase the family’s confidence in the company’s by informing them of what to expect during the K&R incident, so they can anticipate the kidnapper(s) strategy.

The family will also need guidance on how to handle the media, as well as someone to act as a buffer during the incident. You must educate the family on the potential damage to negotiations that can be done by a spontaneous or unauthorized statement to the media. It may even be necessary to relocate the family for the duration of the incident to isolate them from a media onslaught, help reduce their stress level, and prevent any statements to the media that could compromise the negotiation process.

Media As part of the Crisis Management Plan, a Communication Plan should be included that addresses how to answer three basic questions:

What happened? How did it happen? What are you going to do about it?

It is in the family’s and companies’ best interest to respond to media inquiries as failure to respond or delaying a response makes them look irresponsible, unconcerned, or incompetent. The answers to these questions should be carefully crafted with the K&R negotiator, protective services director, and the family.

If the hostage was traveling or on assignment for their employer, the company’s communication department should draft holding statements for various crises in advance. If the hostage-taking had nothing to do with the hostage’s employment, the protective services firm and the family should prepare the holding statements. Innocuous holding statements can help buy time to gather critical information. Financial details, ransom policies, insurance coverage, and negotiation status should never be discussed with the media, and it always a good policy to never publicly criticize the government’s response efforts.

Take care to always provide information to the victim’s family before providing it to the media. Attention should be paid to internal messaging for the “corporate family” of colleagues and co-workers. Keep them reasonably informed as they will not appreciate learning information about the kidnapping incident through the media. There must be only one authorized spokesperson who is designated as such in the early stages or even before an incident occurs. Statements should be cleared with the key team members prior to release. Do not lie to the media because if discovered, it will destroy your credibility with them and can cause a firestorm of fact-checking, investigation, and unwanted publicity that can negatively impact the negotiation and recovery process. Take control of the message and portray a posture of calmness, patience, and confidence. You should proactively anticipate media events and stories rather than merely reacting to them. Have preformulated responses to mitigate any complications that their knowledge and reporting of the incident may have.

In the next and final part of this series (Issue 51), we will examine in detail K&R insurance and how it works, case studies from past incidents, and specific nuances to look out for in the final stages of negotiation.

Kidnap & Ransom – Part two By: Jeff Burns, CDEP, CMAS

Jeff Burns is the Director of Operations for Burns Group International and has over 20 years of high-threat worldwide protective services and investigations experience in both the government and private sectors. He is board-certified in Dignitary & Executive Protection (CDEP) by the American Board for Certification in Homeland Security, board-certified as a Certified Master Anti-Terrorism Specialist (CMAS) by the Anti-Terrorism Accreditation Board. His firm, Burns Group International, LLC provides highly specialized protection, risk and crisis management service, travel security, and counterterrorism training to clients worldwide.

The post Kidnap & Ransom – Part two appeared first on Circuit Magazine.

Tactical Firearms Training – The Basics

If you plan on working internationally in the close protection or security industry you will be expected to some degree to know how to handle firearms. Now, to get things straight to start with, what most people, especially Americans, don’t realize is that most non-government close protection jobs are unarmed due to the legal restrictions on firearms in most countries. Part of your threat assessment for any assignment needs to include the laws on the use of force and what if any weapons are legal in the locations you are going to be working in. Being caught with an illegal weapon, especially a firearm will get you thrown in jail very quickly, no matter how important you think you are! So, what do you need to know about firearms if you are looking to work internationally in the close protection and security industry, well the first and most important thing is knowing how to use firearms safely. To become proficient with firearms, like everything else takes practice and time, you’re not going to become and expert after a few hours’ tuition. Many firearms related accidents happen because those handing the firearms are not complying with the basic firearms safety rules of keep the firearms pointed in a safe direction and keeping their fingers off the guns trigger. If you ensure you always follow these two safety rules, you will be acting more responsibly than many others who are working with and carrying firearms. Remember, if you’re the one holding and in control of a firearm that accidentally discharges and injures or kills someone you will be held responsible. A thorough understanding of firearms and range safety is essential before you even start any shooting with live ammunition. Here is a more complete list of firearms safety rules and considerations. WEAPON SAFETY DEPENDS ON KNOWING YOUR WEAPON, CONFIDENCE, ALERTNESS Safety considerations for firearms must always be followed Always keep firearms pointed in a safe direction, especially when loading and unloading. Keep your finger off the trigger until the weapon is pointed at your target. If the action or slide on the weapon is closed, always treat the gun as if loaded and carry out the unload drills. Always show that a firearm is unloaded to a person before you hand it to them. When someone hands you a firearm, always check the chamber and make sure it is unloaded. Never take a person’s word for whether a firearm is loaded or unloaded, always check! Never point a firearm at anyone just for fun or play games with firearms. Always know what is behind your target and have a good backstop. Only fire-controlled shots. You can rapid fire but make sure you are hitting your target. Always practice tactical drills with unloaded firearms until you’re confident and competent enough to use live ammunition. Always unload firearms before dry-fire tactical training. Only use dummy ammunition or blank-firing firearms for demonstrations or dry-fire drills. Never mix blank, dummy, and live rounds. Always check that the gun is unloaded before cleaning. Never tamper with ammunition, and only use reloads from reliable sources. Never use damaged rounds, and always dispose of them safely. Keep guns and ammunition in secure storage when not in use. If you do not know how to operate or are having problems operating a firearm, get professional help. Never used drugs or alcohol when using firearms. Always check and comply with local firearms law Types of Firearms You should try to train with and get to know as many different types of firearms as possible as you never know what you will come across. You might be working unarmed on an assignment in a hostile environment but you need to know how to use the firearms you might encounter in that environment incase things go bad, say your hotel is attacked, and you might have to use the firearms of the local security, police, military and bad guys or make them safe after an incident. Pistols: The two main classification for pistols are semi-automatic and revolver. Sadly, most people these days tend to only train with semi-auto safe action guns such as Glock and S&W M&P’s etc. You need to know how to safely use revolvers, single and double action semi-autos, single action semi-autos and at least be familiar with derringers and sub-compact pocket pistols. Shotguns: I have heard quite a few supposed close protection experts, usually from police backgrounds dismiss the requirements for shotgun training. The reason for this I believe, is in their limited experience within a government agency they have never had the opportunity to use shotguns or travel to locations where they are used. I have personally working in Europe, South & West Africa, Middle East, US, Caribbean, Latin America and have come across shotguns being used in for security details in all of those locations. I would say shotguns are the most widely used firearm used for legal security purposes globally. Shotguns come in various configurations and you should at least understand break action, pump, semi-auto shotguns and the various types of ammunition and chocks. Assault Rifles: Even though most of the tacticool firearms training videos on the internet put an emphasis of training with AR-15’s and AK-47’s in reality there are not many places you can legally use them for security purposes unless you are in the military, on a government related assignment or working illegally. In Iraq and Afghanistan, the laws were put in place for security guards to carry assault rifles, but in most places if you are lucky enough to legally have firearms there is a greater change of it being a shotgun or a pistol rather than an AK etc. Sporting Rifles: In a lot of countries semi-auto firearms are banned or very restricted and the only legal firearms available will be sporting shotguns and leaver or bolt-action rifles. The only time most tacticool operators will consider learning how to use a bolt-action rifle would be if it was a tricked-out sniper rifle… Well, I am sorry if I offend any tacticool operators reading this but all hunting rifles, even with wood stocks, can be used as sniper rifles and for tactical applications. If someone is trained how to shoot properly, understands individual tactics and is armed with a decent leaver or bolt action .22 rifle, I would class them as far more value than the tacticool shemagh wearing operator who uses optics on their tricked-out AR-15 to hit paper targets at 15 meters… Other Firearms: Depending on where you are planning to work depends on the types of firearms you could encounter; in hostile environments you may need to have the rudimentary knowledge of how to operate belt-fed machine guns. Or, if you’re in an area where hunting is popular it might make sense to learn a little bit about black powder rifles and pistols, which in some places have a lot less restrictions on them than cartridge firing firearms. Tactical Firearms Training I have my own views of firearms training and the state of the firearms training industry but will try to keep them to myself as much as I can for the sake of this article. My basic advice to anyone looking at attending any firearms training courses would be is the course relevant and is the instructor experienced enough to teach it. The best place to get a good grounding in firearms training is in the military as you should be given thorough training, the bullets will be free, and you will also be getting paid for your time. There is no way you can replicate a few years military firearms training experience by taking a two-week tactical firearms course. One issues with those who have only had regular military training is that they are only used to dealing with a limited range of firearms. Personally, I only really started to learn and use handguns other than a Browning Hi-Power after I left the British Army and worked in South Africa, Eastern Europe and then joined a gun club in UK before handguns were banned. You must ensure the training you will be getting is relevant for what your going to be doing and is of a good standard. In the U.S. the general standard for training is what’s put out by the National Rifle Association (NRA). Most people don’t realize when taking a training course from an NRA instructor that it only takes one-day to become and NRA instructor or Range Safety officer. In the United States, it’s easy for a novice shooter to become an NRA firearms instructor, as I said it’s a one-day course, SERIOUSLY! With another one-day course they can become a Range Safety Officer, and after that with another one-day course a Chief Range Safety Officer able to certify Range Safety Officers… All without any experience of ever running a firearms course or any experience of actually working on a shooting range… I have come across NRA instructors who could not field strip their own firearms, Chief Range Safety Officers who had never used revolvers or shotguns. From their certifications you would expect them to be experienced professionals! Well, think again… You cannot gain the experience required to be a decent RSO or instructor by just attending a few theory classes, watch tacticool YouTube videos and belonging to Gung-ho online chat forums. The schools issuing these NRA certifications are making money, it’s business, but how many of their students then go on to market themselves as “firearms experts” after just a few one-day classes? I think this can be classed as fraudulent in anyone’s books. It’s just like taking a first-time driver, giving them a two- or three-day theory on how to drive, showing them a car, starting the engine and then certifying them to set up a driving school… Scary, right? Always verify the real-world experience of the instructors who you’re intending to pay good money for quality training. Firearms training can be very expensive so ensure you’re not wasting your money and understand that after just a few days training you’re not going to be at a professional level, whatever your certificates say! Ongoing dry and live firearms training and weapons familiarization is essential if your serious about working in hostile environments but learn to differentiate the difference between tacticool holidays and experiences and relevant training! Tactical Firearms Training – The Basics The post Tactical Firearms Training – The Basics appeared first on Circuit Magazine.

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