The Debrief with Jon Becker LAPD D-Platoon's Approach to Hostage Rescue
Jan 14, 2026
Jonathan Pultz, a 27-year LAPD veteran and D-Platoon element leader, shares his extensive experience in hostage rescue operations. He discusses the high operational tempo of D-Platoon, detailing how training under pressure sharpens skills and tactics. Pultz emphasizes the importance of crisis negotiation, containment strategies, and clear communication during critical situations. He recounts real-life operations, dissecting decision-making processes and lessons learned from challenges faced, including unique tactics used in recent rescues.
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Operational Tempo Drives Expertise
- D-Platoon runs 120–150 spontaneous high-risk operations per year, giving heavy real-world repetition.
- That sustained tempo accelerates learning and lets them pass decades of lessons down the platoon.
Contain First, Then Solve Smaller Problems
- First priority on arrival: contain the situation to create a manageable problem space.
- Shrink and isolate the area so you can work smaller, solvable problems toward resolution.
Use Containment To Shape The Terrain
- Use containment to change terrain and isolate the crisis to one room, door, or vehicle exit.
- Shrink the problem until you can apply decisive tactics like stealth-probe-to-contact.