Crowd Management

Techniques for Crowd Control and Dispersal

There are numerous techniques designed to provide agencies with flexibility of action in accomplishing crowd control. There is no one technique that is best employed in all situations. Rather, you have to read the crowd and use the one most appropriate for the situation. Your response may be multifaceted to the complexity of the situation.

Some of the most common techniques used are:

1. Isolation and observation - This consists of the deployment of teams to the peripheral areas of the crowd for the purpose of monitoring activities. Teams gather information on the crowd size, location and mood, and report on developing situations.

2. Communications of interest and intent - In certain situations, the effective communication with crowd leaders and participants may enable police personnel to control the situation without resorting to more severe action.

3. Cooperation - Active initiation by control forces to obtain the cooperation of group leaders may significantly decrease the potential for disruption of the crowd activity.

4. Issuing a proclamation - A proclamation establishes the illegal nature of the crowd’s action and is an excellent medium to make known to the crowd the intent of control forces supervision. The proclamation is also a means of reducing the size of the crowd prior to direct action being taken. In making any proclamation to a crowd, consideration must be given to determining a specific time for dispersal versus not stating a definite time for dispersal. Either approach must be weighed carefully depending on the situation, the resources available to control /disperse the crowd, because the situation may change. Supervisors or Command personnel will usually make this decision when dealing large-scale disturbances.

NOTE: Discuss NCGS 14-288.5 - Failure to disperse when commanded or the common law violation of Unlawful Assembly, may be useful here. Refer students to handout, “Selected Statutes for Law Enforcement Officers Regarding Public Demonstrations, Civil Disorders, Parades and Riots.”

5. Show of force - Marching a well equipped, highly disciplined control force into view of a crowd may be all of the force necessary to persuade them to disperse peacefully. On the other hand, in some situations, such as with idealistically-motivated groups, a show of force may have a counterproductive effect by causing them to become involved in a direct challenge of control forces. Ten well-trained officers can effectively disperse 1,000 rioters.

6. Crowd control formations - Crowd control formations, when properly employed and effectively executed against a crowd of a limited size represents one of the most practical methods of crowd control and dispersal. A supervisor must always realize the limits of crowd control formations.

When a large crowd has been dispersed, do not assume that members of the crowd have returned to peaceful activity; small groups may initiate dispersed riotous activities, therefore, the use of formation should only be part of a total dispersal effort. Also, if the crowd refuses to move, other techniques may have to be employed, such as the use of riot control agents and physical arrest.

7. Arrest and processing of arrestees

1. Arrest teams - All arrest teams will be under the direct supervision of an arrest team supervisor. During times of civil disorder, individual police action will be suspended and arrests will only be made under the direction of a supervisor. Arrest team members will escort prisoners to a central prisoner processing area.

2. Processing of arrestees - A point outside the affected area, yet close by, will allow for the quick return of arrest team personnel to maximize their effectiveness.

At the arrest processing point, the arresting officer should have his photograph taken with the prisoner for later identification and court purposes.

3. Special considerations of arrests

During times of civil unrest, physical arrest must be kept to a minimum, not to appease the crowd, but to economize on the limited number of police resources. Therefore, individual police action must be suspended. Supervisors will determine the course of action to include all arrests. Exception: emergency life or death situations. Procedures must also be established to deal with arrestees, transportation, and detainment.¹¹

13. Duties of Law Enforcement at Non-Violent Passive Protest

NOTE: Show slide, “Passive Protests.”
As police departments throughout the country continue to improve and update their training in response to violent community disturbances, most do not have a plan of action when dealing with the non-violent or passive protest. Police officers should not respond to passive protests in the same manner as they would for violent protests. Police departments must develop a procedure to deal with this type disturbance.
When confronting passive protesters, police officers must be aware of the differences in tactics used by this group as compared to the violent group. The response will be different. Therefore, officers must be exposed to the difference in tactics used.

1. Passive protests: lawful vs. unlawful

Officers must always be aware of state and local laws dealing with lawful protests. The simple fact that a group of individuals is gathering to voice an opinion to gain public sentiment does not necessarily mean that the protest is unlawful.

2. What is lawful?

   1. Picketing - A way of protesters gaining sympathy and support from the public. (Check local ordinances for procedures and restrictions.) Many ordinances require the picketers to remain a certain distance from the business, as well as remain a certain distance between each other and others opposing the picketers.

   2. Parades and marches

3. What is unlawful?

   1. Violence - Involving injury or damage to people or property.

   2. Blocking entrances - N.C.G.S. 14-277.4 Obstruction of Health Care Facilities - A lawful protest becomes unlawful when protesters move onto the premises and begin to block entrances.

NOTE: Tell students to check with local prosecutorial districts as to the use of this statute because Federal Judge Potter from western North Carolina determined it unconstitutional in 1996. The 4th Circuit Court of Appeals over turned his decision.
It is also an unlawful protest when they enter the premise. N.C.G.S. 2nd Degree Trespass/1st Degree Trespass.

4. Communication and liaisons

As with any type of disturbance, it is necessary to maintain open communication with the protesting group.

1. Identify the leaders - Once the leaders are identified, it is imperative that open communication be maintained with them.

2. Attend group meetings to obtain intelligence information.

3. Use informants - infiltrate meetings as a last resort when leaders will not cooperate. Help to identify troublemakers and possible militants.

4. Identify local and out of town militants.

5. Report to supervisors - any information received must be relayed to departmental supervisors.¹²

1. Protester tactics

NOTE: Show slide, “Protester Tactics.”

1. Blocking entrances - protesters may block doorways, loading docks, or delivery entrances. They may stand, sit, or lie.

2. Locking arms - they may join arms and make a human chain.

3. Padlocking with chains - they may use metal chains and locks to lock themselves to the building. (A bolt cutter is an important item in the equipment truck.)

4. Singing and chanting - a common tactic. Adds stress to the officers on the scene. Officers must shout over the singing to give their commands.

5. Name calling - protesters will accuse officers of taking sides. (At abortion protests, they have been known to call officers MURDERERS.)

1. Responsibilities and duties of officers

   1. Remain neutral and impartial - officers must not allow personal beliefs and values to take precedent over upholding the law.

   2. Maintain your professionalism - don’t allow protesters to incite you with name calling and accusations.

   3. Be aware of violations - know local and state laws that apply.

      1. Assaults - on officers, as well as, opposing protesters

      2. Trespassing

      3. Blocking entrances

   4. Keep supervisors aware of conditions and any changes in conditions.

2. Making the arrest

The on-scene supervisor will determine when arrests occur and who will be arrested.

1. Verbalize the intent to arrest and the actual arrest when necessary.

2. Use arrest teams – no less than two officers, four to six being preferred.

3. Use flex-cuffs in lieu of metal for mass arrests. Flex-cuffs are convenient and the public may view as a softer method for handcuffing.

4. Use stretchers or “Stokes” style baskets for carrying prisoners - cuts down on officer and arrestee injuries.

5. Photograph and document each arrestee - before moving your prisoner, photograph each arrestee (Polaroid preferable) and record date, time, and name or number of prisoner.

6. Videotape entire disturbance for court and training purposes.

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