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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Sgt. William Rowley
DATE: May 7, 2019
SUBJECT:
Resolution to purchase a Hostage/Crisis Negotiator Communications system to be used during critical incidents by Aurora Police Department Special Response Team Hostage/Crisis Negotiators.
PURPOSE:
To request authorization from the Aurora City Council to purchase a Hostage/Crisis Negotiator Communications system to be used during critical incidents by Aurora Police Department Special Response Team Hostage/Crisis Negotiators.
BACKGROUND:
The Aurora Police Department for many years has been utilizing an antiquated Hostage/Crisis Negotiator Communication system (commonly known as a "throw phone"). The purpose of this system is to allow negotiators to safely communicate with hostage takers, barricaded subjects, and for use in other high-risk situations where face-to-face contact is either unsafe or impractical.
The current throw phone system does not adequately provide real-time recording capabilities which are required by law for the collection and maintenance of evidence in hostage or crisis incidents. Further, the current system does not facilitate communication between the hostage/crisis negotiator team and tactical command operators; this is a necessary and vital function provided by current throw phone systems. Finally, the vast majority of recent hostage/crisis incidents involve the use of cellular phones. However, the current throw phone system does not provide a reasonable conduit into hostage/crisis incidents which involve the use of mobile phones, including text messaging and the use of various social media platforms
DISCUSSION:
The Aurora Police Department Special Response Team is charged with the safe resolution of high-risk incidents which often involve an imminent threat of death or great bodily harm to others. The use of hostage/crisis negotiators is vital to the mission of the Special Response Team and the Police Department, in that their use is specif...
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