Trusted law enforcement contacts who were on the ground during the Los Angeles riots shared detailed observations based on their firsthand experience. They requested that this information be disseminated to officers nationwide to support preparation for future demonstrations.
Their assessment indicates that many demonstrators were highly organized, with certain groups deliberately working to escalate peaceful protests into violent confrontations. The following observations are provided to assist officers and team leaders in developing effective operational responses.
1. Infiltration of peaceful demonstrations
Several groups were identified as allegedly inserting members into peaceful protests to provoke violence. These included:
- Antifa – Dressed in all black (“black bloc”) with red or yellow scarves and masks
- Trantifa – Similar black attire, but with pastel-colored scarves
- Brown Berets – A Chicano nationalist paramilitary organization; a suspected member, Alejandro Theodoro Orellana, was reportedly arrested by the FBI for distributing military-grade face masks to rioters
- Anarcho-socialists
ARRESTED: Alejandro Theodoro Orellana was arrested this morning by @FBILosAngeles on an allegation of Conspiracy to Commit Civil Disorders (18 USC 371) for distributing face shields to suspected rioters on Tuesday. We are moving quickly to identify and arrest those involved in… pic.twitter.com/Ase8kxupfp
— U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli (@USAttyEssayli) June 12, 2025
2. Signs of pre-planned training and coordination
Observers noted that violent demonstrators used similar tactics and formations, suggesting prior training and organization. Their behavior did not appear spontaneous.
3. Use of recon scouts and encrypted communications
Antifa scouts were seen riding black e-bikes and e-scooters, reconning police positions from the front and rear. These scouts used encrypted communications and marked their vehicles with a white “X.” Be cautious, because it appeared they were organizing flanking movements to be made on the police lines.
|ARTICLE SERIES: The evolution of protest policing
4. Multi-layered skirmish lines
Violent demonstrators are consistently using multi-layered skirmish lines. These formations can envelop and cut off insertion teams, including tactics like the crossbow. The front line acts as cover, allowing individuals in the second and third lines to launch ranged items — such as poles, rocks and bottles— while remaining protected.
In two observed instances, second-line skirmishers were seen using 3-gallon garden sprayers filled with paint, oil and silica sand to disable visors and Lexan shields.
Officer tip: Use sacrificial lenses on shields and intercept these individuals early.
| RELATED: Inside the 2025 L.A. riots: How police can counter new protest tactics
5. Skateboards as dual-purpose tools
Initially used for mobility, skateboards were later deployed to:
- Smash windows
- Act as improvised weapons
6. Legal observers on the frontline
Protest groups positioned legal observers toward the front, wearing high-visibility vests and helmets, equipped with cameras to document law enforcement actions.
7. Vehicle-based disruption
Some vehicles were reportedly driven to deliberately disrupt police lines, causing confusion and separation among officers.
| RELATED: Suspect accused of driving through LAPD skirmish line arrested after pursuit
8. Delivery of riot gear
Observers reported trucks delivering riot protective gear directly to demonstrators on site.
9. Use of fire as a weapon
Fire was used as a tool of destruction:
- Vehicles, including Waymo cars, were set ablaze
- Two individuals were arrested for throwing Molotov cocktails at officers
| RELATED: Officers hit with fireworks, cruisers pelted with rocks as L.A. protests escalate
10. Improvised weapons from street debris
Crowd members were seen using hammers to smash curb concrete, creating projectiles to throw at law enforcement.
Final thoughts
Officers responding to civil unrest must be:
- Properly equipped
- Well-trained in team tactics and arrest procedures
- Prepared to distinguish between peaceful demonstrators and violent agitators
A final word of caution: “There is a dedicated anarchist out there, who has trained hard to acquire the skills to seriously hurt you physically, legally and emotionally. He is prepared for you. Are you prepared for him?”
Prepare.
| WATCH BELOW AND READ MORE HERE: 12 things every police department’s civil unrest plan needs
