Why Did the FBI Violate Protocol and Launch SWAT Assault After All Hostages Escaped?
Let me make it clear up front that I have no problem with killing a terrorist. But the death of Malik Akram, who had been holding four hostages at a synagogue north of Dallas, does not make sense. The FBI Hostage Rescue Team did not follow the standard operating procedure for conducting an assault.
I have more than 35 years experience with counter-terrorism and police training. I was the Deputy Director of the Anti-Terrorism Assistance Training Program when I was at the Department of State. There is a checklist that SWAT teams follow in evaluating a threat and deciding on a course of action.
When you have a hostage incident the prime objective is to end the situation peacefully with no harm to the hostages.
