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10. Police operating procedures
 
  Article 83-Kidnapping  
83.1 Kidnapping  
  Kidnapping is one of the most traumatic and sinister of crimes. Similar to hostage taking, there are certain standard modes that all kidnappers take in placing their demands.  
83.2 The psychology and history of kidnapping  
  The psychology and history of kidnapping is based on the application of maximum stress upon an individual with the capacity to pay a ransom, based on the history that such people will inevitably crack and pay a ransom.  
  Therefore, the crime of kidnapping owes its occurance as much to the reporting of other kidnappings and that there is a history of at least one ransom being paid.  
  By denying those things that kidnappers want the most namely notoriety via the media during the height of a kidnap and the possibility (however remote) of a ransom being paid, the kidnappers become no more than torturers and possible murderers.  
  Any nation that equivocates in their handling of kidnappers risks such crimes being a regular feature of the landscape. The only way to eliminate the crime of kidnapping is to make it an impossible crime, with no benefit or fame for the kidnappers.  
83.3 The protocols of handling a kidnapping  
  The following are the protocols in relation to handling a kidnapping.  
  (1) Inform the next of kin that it is a crime to pay a ransom and that the government never pays a ransom, no matter who they are  
  Kidnappers prey on the closeness of family members and why often they seek children as the perfect hostage. Family must realize that if they seek to pay a ransom they will be charged for a crime.  
  (2) Media are banned from commenting on kidnappings during their progress  
  Media is not permitted to notify, discuss or report on kidnappings or any comments by the immediate next of kin whilst a kidnapping investigation is still in active progress.  
  (3) Immediately inform the kidnappers, that they have an ultimatum- immediately return the person and surrender, or face the maximum penalty  
  It is important for a kidnapper to realise as soon as possible:  
  (i) The government never permits ransom to be paid, no matter who it is;  
  (ii) The kidnappers will eventually be found;  
  (iii) The only options the kidnappers have is to return the person with as little harm as possible within 48 hours or face the maximum penalty;  
  (iv) remind the kidnappers that even if they are killed, any person who they care about who is found to have collaborated in the crime will be charged at the maximum offence;  
  No other negotiating position is permitted, regardless who the person is who has been kidnapped.  
  (4) Authorization of deadly force after 48 hours  
  After 48 hours and the kidnapper have failed to agree to the demands of the police, the police have the right to use deadly force on the assumption that the person kidnapped is dead.  
  This rule is to ensure a kidnapping does not turn by default into a hostage negotiation by default.  
     
 
 

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