Crowd Management

Special Impact Munitions/Distraction Devices

Two additional resources available to officers in crowd dispersal are the Special Impact munitions, known as SIMS and distraction devices, sometimes referred to as “flashbangs.”

NOTE: Show slide, “Special Impact Munitions.”

1. Special impact munitions

A viable tool to employ on violent crowds and violent individuals within the crowd. Only personnel specially trained in the use and deployment of these munitions should deploy them on crowds or individuals. They must only be used against hostile crowds and when other dispersal options are not effective or safe to use.

Throughout the history of policing impact weapons have been used to keep the peace. SIMS is a modern method of using this technique. This modern method allows officers to utilize this concept at a greater distance and impact.

1. Use of specialty impact munitions

   1. Move or route a crowd

   2. Cover formation movement during violent demonstrations/riot

   3. Takedown targeted subjects for arrest

   4. Stop potential violent attackers from hitting officers

2. Types of special impact munitions

These munitions are referred to as kinetic energy munitions and are either high or low energy (impact) munitions. This refers to the amount of energy the munition has to deliver to the target or the distance at which it can be safely used.

1. Calibers of munitions

   1. 12 gauge

   2. 37mm

   3. 40mm

   4. Grenades-specially designed systems using rubber pellets

2. Types of SIMS

   1. Bean bag rounds

   2. Rubber bullets

   3. Rubber pellets

   4. Rubber baton rounds

   5. Foam rounds

   6. Wooden baton rounds

   7. Sponge rounds

   8. Sting-ball grenades, can be fortified with chemical agents, giving it both chemical and SIMS capabilities.

3. Characteristics

   1. Flexible projectiles - Beanbag rounds composed of a lead or silica filled cloth bag.

   2. Non-flexible-rigid or semi-ridged rounds - Either rubber or wood.

   3. In-direct fire - Rounds, usually wooden, that are designed to skipped off the pavement striking the legs of the rioters.

   4. Direct fire - Rounds specially designed to be fired directly at a person.

   5. Single projectile - Generally intended to be used in direct fire munitions.

   6. Multi-projectile - Contains multiple rounds and depending on the type may be either skip fired or direct fired.

4. Psychological effects: SIMS have a strong mental effect on an individual.

   1. Anxiety - having a firearm pointed directly at them

   2. Fear - of being struck by ammunition

   3. Panic - crowd or individuals may scatter making it more difficult to strike a specific individual

5. Physiological effects - deploying officers must use caution when deploying these munitions. As with any impact weapon, officers must avoid striking areas of the body, which may cause death or serious injury. Those areas are: the chest, solar plexus, head, spine, neck, groin and major joints.

6. First aid steps

Subjects, who are struck with special impact munitions, should be medically cleared before being confined to a detention facility. Since it is difficult to determine the nature of internal injuries that a subject has sustained from the use of SIMS, they should be examined at a hospital prior to being incarcerated. Lacerations and other visible wounds should be treated using standard first aid measures, until more advanced medical treatment can be administered.

2. Distraction devices

NOTE: Show slide, “Distraction Devices.”
These devices use a low order explosive to create a light and sound that momentarily blinds and distracts subjects. These effects capitalize on the panic or fear mentality and will give control forces time to move in and disperse a crowd, or the device alone may assist in this process. Note: as with any special munitions, only those officers trained in the use should deploy such devices.
NOTE: Advise students to never use “homemade” distraction devices.

1. Psychological effects (mental distraction)

   1. Diverts or confuses the crowd.

   2. May believe that an explosive has been used. This trick or ruse gives control forces time to act, while the crowd’s attention is diverted or preoccupied with “survival” thinking.

   3. Creates fear and may cause some in the crowd to flee, thereby reducing the number of individual control forces dealt with.

   4. Affects the ability of some people to reason due to the sensory overload.

2. Physiological effects: Physical distraction, which is one that the body simply cannot control when exposed to a perceived danger or stimulus that creates fear.

   1. Visual effects:

Flash of brilliant light that may cause individuals to be unable to totally focus and be disoriented for up 10 to 30 minutes.

2. Auditory effects

The loud sound or over pressure created by the distraction device, which causes a slight ringing in the ears and may cause short disturbances in one’s equilibrium.

1. Delivery systems

   1. Hand delivery, same as those used to deploy chemical munitions.

   2. 12 gauge launched munitions, aerial distraction - fired over the crowd’s heads.

2. Potential hazards

   1. Officers should avoid using them in the vicinity of children and the elderly, due to their sensitive health.

   2. Fire hazard - the munitions use a small explosive charge, which causes a brilliant momentary flash (fire ball) which may ignite flammable materials.

   3. Smoke may add to confusion for control forces as well as rioters.

   4. Secondary ballistic projectiles – a piece from the munitions or an object may be propelled by the distraction device which may cause injuries.

   5. Hearing problems - exposure to multiple devices, particularly in a closed space may result in some hearing loss. Ear protection may be needed in this case.

   6. Failure of munitions to initiate, resulting in the device being thrown back at control forces.

1. Conclusion

   1. Summary

During this block of instruction we have identified the different classes of crowds and learned to differentiate between a casual crowd and a mob. Psychological and social factors that influence crowds were discussed, as well as those that affect control force personnel. We also identified the specific duties of a law enforcement officer when assigned to a potentially violent demonstration, strike or at a nonviolent protest. Crowd control options, plans, tactics and other actions were covered in this lesson. We practiced crowd control formations utilizing riot batons, shields and vehicles while in formations. We experienced the effects of chemical munitions as a crowd dispersal agent and utilized a gas mask to ward off those effects. We also discussed the utilization of specialty munitions and distraction devices used with crowd dispersal strategies. We all hope we never have to use them, but, remember it is better to have a plan and training, and not need it, than to need it and not have it.

NOTE: Show slide, “Training Objectives” and review them.

2. Questions from Class

3. Closing Statement

Crowd management is an experience that you may not encounter very often; however, when we must mobilize, we will need to be ready. The actions we take or fail to take will impact the outcome of a crowd encounter. By employing the progressive steps, using effective verbalization skills, diplomacy and employing tactical approaches and other tools and tactics discussed here, when necessary, officers should be able to work effectively towards containing, if not controlling and dispersing, most crowds encountered.

NOTES

1. 
   International Association of Chiefs of Police, Riot Control Tactics for New Urban Violence (Arlington, VA: I.A.C.P., 1996), 16
   
2. 
   Ibid.
   
3. 
   Ibid., 17.
   
4. 
   Ibid., 20.
   
5. 
   Ibid., 24.
   
6. 
   Ibid., 32.
   
7. 
   Ibid., 67.
   
8. 
   “Civil Disorder,” Basic Law Enforcement Training (Salemburg, NC: N. C. Justice Academy, 1994).
   
9. 
   Scott v. Henrich, 39F.3d912 (9^th Cir. 1994).
   
10. 
    I.A.C.P., Riot Control Tactics, 7.
    
11. 
    Ibid., 60-61.
    
12. 
    Ibid., 4.
    
13. 
    Rex Applegate, Riot Control Materials and Techniques (Harrisburg, PA: Stackpole Corp., 1969, 115.
    
14. 
    L.A. County Sheriff’s Department, Civil Disorder – Mobile Tactics (1994).
    
15. 
    Ibid., 7.
    
16. 
    Chemical Munitions Training Course Summary (Hart Valley, MD: A.A.T. Corp., 1988),
    
17. 
    Martinez v. Kilday, 117 S.W. 2nd Texas Court of Civil Appeals, 1988.
    
18. 
    Chemical Munitions Training Course Summary, 12.
    

Basic Law Enforcement Training

Instructor