CROWD CONTROL TECHNIQUES

LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Explain and discuss the various techniques for crowd control.

There are numerous techniques designed to provide the commander with flexibility of action in accomplishing crowd control. The commander must select a combination of techniques that will produce the desired results within the framework of the selected crowd control option. The most common techniques are discussed in the following paragraphs.

OBSERVATION

Observation consists of the deployment of individuals or teams to the outermost region of a crowd for the purpose of monitoring the crowd's activity. It includes gathering information on crowd size, location, and mood, and reporting on the developing situation.

COMMUNICATION OF INTEREST AND INTENT

In certain situations, effective communication with crowd leaders and participants may enable the force to control the situation without resorting to more severe actions. When planned and organized demonstrations, marches, or rallies within the disturbed area are announced, the control force commander, in coordination with local authorities, should meet with the activity organizers to communicate the interest of the control forces.

The installation commanding officer and local authorities should communicate to the activity organizers their intent to cope with violence, unlawful actions, and violations of restrictions imposed on the activity. It is intended that, by this communication between activity organizers and control force personnel, the demonstration, rally, or parade will occur without incident through the mutual cooperation of all concerned. The intentions of control forces will not be effective if delivered as an ultimatum. A limited, begrudging dialogue with activity organizers reduces the opportunity for authorities to learn the plans of the demonstrators. It must be remembered that if this communication is not effective, the activity organizers might well hold the demonstration in defiance of local authorities.

CHANNELIZATION

Where communications have been established with the dissident leadership and the intent and nature of the crowd activity is known in advance, pressure may be brought to bear on the leaders. This will channel the crowd into an area that will minimize the disruption that the crowd might have on the community, and that will facilitate the operations of the control force.

DIVERSION

Consideration may be given to efforts to divert the leadership of the crowd itself from its stated or apparent objective. This effort is greatly facilitated if communications exist with the leadership of the crowd. This technique may be either direct, denying access to an area, or indirect, promoting an alternate site or activity of greater interest to the crowd. The diversion should support the objectives of the control force either by reducing the intensity of the crowd situation or by motivating the crowd to seek an area more easily controlled by the control force.

COOPERATION

The control force must seek to obtain the cooperation of the dissident leadership, which will decrease the potential for disruption. Also, when crowd leadership seeks permission and cooperation from the local government, officials should maximize this opportunity. This may be accomplished by talking the leadership into a cooperative planning effort designed to facilitate the protestor's opportunity to peacefully demonstrate. This will also establish guidelines that will minimize the impact of the demonstration on the community.

PROCLAMATION

The installation commanding officer's representative at the scene, in the Name of the President of the United States, will call upon members of the group to disperse to their homes immediately. This is known as the Presidential proclamation. Another proclamation will be issued by the military commander to advise the people residing within the community of the rules and orders they are to obey and the reasons for such rules. This proclamation by the military is not to be confused with the Presidential proclamation. A proclamation establishes the illegal nature of the crowd's actions, and is an excellent medium to make known to a crowd the intentions of the control force.

SHOW OF FORCE

A show of force may be effective in various situations in civil disturbance control operations. Marching a well-equipped and highly disciplined control force into view of an assembled crowd maybe all that is needed to persuade dissidents to disperse and retire peaceably from the scene. In other situations, however, a show of force may have a counterproductive effect. It may cause more persons to be attracted to the "show" and provoke a nonviolent crowd into a violent confrontation. When personnel are scattered throughout the disturbance area in small groups, a show of force may take the form of motor marches throughout the area saturation patrolling, and the manning of static posts.

APPREHENSION OF CROWD MEMBERS

The apprehension of an individual can only be justified if that person is in violation of the law. Situations may arise in a crowd control mission where large numbers of persons are participating in unlawful activities. The dispersal of such groups might result in greater violence or militant acts. Factors may exist that preclude the use of water or riot control agents, thus necessitating the containment of the crowd in a given area or the apprehension and removal of those crowd members committing unlawful acts. Where possible, military forces should allow civil police officers to perform the actual apprehension, processing, and detention of civilian law violators. However, conditions of necessity may require these functions to be performed by military personnel.

USE OF BARRIERS

On a pier or wharf, barriers can be effectively used to channel intruders and prevent vehicles from being driven near the ship.

For a ship, lining off or lifting the brow will help in reducing access to the ship. Additionally, extra camels can be requested to increase the distance between the ship (especially those with a low freeboard) and the shore structure.

Secure and lock as many weather deck accesses as possible to limit entry by boarders and as a prevention measure from weapons fire and thrown incendiary devices.

EMPLOYMENT OF WATER

Water from a firehose may be effective in moving small groups on a narrow front, such as a street or in defending a barricade or roadblock Personnel applying water should be protected by the control force, and in some instances, by shields.

A water-dispersing system specifically designed for use in civil disturbance operations is not included in the Navy supply inventory, but may be improvised from existing items of equipment. Water may be employed in a flat trajectory (solid-stream) or as a high trajectory weapon (employing water as rainfall). The latter is highly effective during cold weather.

The use of a large water tank (750-1,000 gallons) and a mounted "water cannon" will enable the force to employ water as they advance. By having at least two such trucks, one can be held in reserve.

Aboard ship, water hoses can be laid out in advance. The fire stations to be used will usually be indicated by their location, including the availability of cover for hose teams. Past actual experience has shown that foam

(AFFF) has had a disorienting effect on crowds, and has increased the effectiveness of firefighting from the ship when objects on or to the pier, including vehicles and mooring lines, were set afire by the crowds.

In the use of water, as with other measures of force, certain restraints must be applied. Avoid using water on innocent bystanders. Provide avenues of escape and use the more severe, flat trajectory application only when necessary.

RIOT CONTROL AGENTS

The use of riot control agents is an effective method of dispersing crowds. Remember, however, that effects of not control agents are only temporary and will not prevent the reformation of a crowd in either the same or a different location. Riot control agents have many advantages over other techniques in that they have an immediate effect on large groups of people without causing any permanent harm. Riot control agents, when properly used by the control force, will disperse large crowds without actual contact with rioters. An understanding of riot control agents, their capabilities and limitations, is mandatory for safe and efficient use. The authority to order the use of riot control agents rests with the installation commander.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Filming or photographing persons engaged in lawful dissent (picketing, peaceful protest, etc.) is not warranted and should be avoided. However, filming persons engaged in unlawful conduct is recommend as a future record for court proceedings to show that crimes were being committed and/or the identity of the persons committing those crimes. Additionally, filming of events can quickly resolve complaints of excessive force by force personnel.