Crowd Control
The Crowd Control topic focuses on the difficult task of controlling large groups of people with a limited number of police officers and resources. The police crowd control articles and tips in this section focus on strategy, policy, planning and tactics that can help quell a riled-up crowd and riot gear — helmets and shields — that will keep them safe in the process.
Law enforcement must be prepared for the worst when a controversial verdict is read, protestors become violent or a sports team wins a championship and the celebration spills to the streets.
Court rules that sergeant’s alleged application of pain compliance techniques upon a recalcitrant protester may be a violation of clearly established law
From e-scooter scouts to paint-filled sprayers, here’s what officers are seeing on the ground during the LA riots
The protest playbook has changed — here’s what officers are up against now
Last year, Chief James White implemented a similar plan targeting the city’s “party atmosphere”
“Officers are EXHAUSTED,” said the Miami Beach FOP. “The party needs to end”
Most of Cleveland’s bomb squad resigned in February after officers accused a supervisor of bringing a live pipe bomb to training
A man wanted on multiple felony warrants pulled out a gun as officers tried to arrest him, police said
This report is a hard read, but necessary for police leaders around the country
Guard members will not carry firearms or take part in law enforcement activities, the Pentagon said
Jury trial required to determine liability for mass arrest, alleged excessive force and supervisory indifference
“We are in this until it is over,” said interim Ottawa Police Chief Steve Bell
A protest involving dozens of semi-trailers has gridlocked Canada’s capital city for three weeks
Most were charged with criminal mischief related to a week-long demonstration that blocked one of the busiest U.S.-Canada crossings
Ottawa’s mayor has called in more police to handle increasingly rowdy demonstrations against vaccine mandates
Demonstrators had alleged that police used excessive force at a protest site in North Dakota in 2016
One of the officers drew his weapon after being bitten on the head by an irate passenger
Agencies from small to large faced the challenge of how to allow for the freedom of speech and protests, while maintaining the peace and protecting the rights of all involved
If you wish to prepare your agency for unrest it would behoove you to read the entire report
The rioters broke windows, threw objects at police and talked about burning down the Justice Center
A criminal investigation into the deaths at last week’s music festival is underway
Even if you are responding to an urgent call, running in uniform in a crowd can cause panic
More than 20 lawsuits have been filed, accusing organizers of failing to take appropriate crowd-control steps
The rapper had previously been charged in 2015 and 2017 for causing riots at his concerts
Tragedies like the one in Houston that left eight people dead on Friday have been happening for a long time
The order temporarily bars police from enforcing a law that Judge Mark Walker said is too vague
Panelists shared lessons learned, leading practices and cutting-edge approaches that can assist agencies in dealing with unplanned critical incidents
“We’re still trying to find the right recipe,” said Mayor Ted Wheeler
Mayor Ted Wheeler defended the decision, but others were shocked that police did not intervene
Police Chief Chuck Lovell had said that police would not be getting in the middle of it but would instead keep an eye out for law-breakers
The new guidebook from the National Police Foundation aims to help officers maintain both their physical and mental health during stressful times
Last month, organizers announced that they want to drastically cut the number of cops assigned to protect the route in 2022
Portland’s Rapid Response Team made headlines last week when, in an unprecedented move, its members all voted to resign
The city has seen recent unrest related to an officer-involved shooting and after a protester was killed by a speeding car
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- Protest policing: When do tensions escalate between protesters and police?
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- Shots fired: Cops speak out on recent LA riots (not shown in media)
- Reframing the legacy of the baton
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