An expert in policing, Prof. Gary Ellis was interviewed Aug. 9 by Korea’s Morning Wave in Busan about an armed group in Libya that kidnapped two Filipinos and one South Korean in June.

Ellis, head of the University of Guelph-Humber’s justice studies program, talked about policing procedures involving international kidnappings.

Typically, he said, people travelling to countries with security risks prepare ahead and have adequate access to resources in case problems arise. If a kidnapping does occur, he said, investigators have to work with the pertinent country.

He also explained that media embargoes are often imposed to ensure the safety of hostages during delicate negotiations. Ellis said many kidnappings are not reported in the media as they are quietly resolved.

He studies justice and policing issues, governance and organizational change.