MILITARY WORKING DOGS

The proper use of military working dogs as part of the control forces can be a great deterrent. In especially unruly crowds, extra care must be given to protection of the dogs from the crowd itself, thrown objects, and crowd control agents.

MOB CONTROL TECHNIQUES

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Explain and discuss the various techniques for mob control.

The methods employed against mobs differ from those required against crowds. Less dispersion of forces is allowed; more force must be used (but kept well under control); and sterner measures must be adopted. The following mob control techniques are recommended:

Messages to the mob. A mob should not be lectured, bullied, or bluffed. And above all, it should not be threatened or dared.

Direction of attack. A mob usually should be attacked on one flank, depending upon the direction the mob should be moved. When those in front would like to retreat but because of the pressure from behind are unable to do so, the mob should be attacked from the rear.

Use of gunfire. The number of firearms used should be no greater than is absolutely necessary. If there is firing from the rear of the mob, a few marksmen should be placed where they can return the fire at that source only. A few marksmen should also be detailed to return fire on windows or roofs from which firing or sniping is occurring. Care should always be taken to avoid firing into a group of innocent persons from which some rioter has fired.

Blank cartridges. Blank cartridges should never be used when combating a mob bent on violence, ⁱⁿ nor should a volley be fired over their heads. Such action may be regarded as an admission of weakness or as an attempt to bluff, and may do much more harm than good.

l Use of tear gas. Tear gas grenades, employed by military forces equipped with gas masks, are an effective method of dispersing a mob. Tear gas grenades should be projected to the windward side of the rioters.

l Hand-to-hand fighting. Hand-to-hand fighting should be avoided. Here, the mob has the advantage because of its superior number. The mob should be kept at such distance that personnel can employ their weapons and use their training and discipline to the best advantage.

l When things are thrown. When confronted by a control force, an angry mob often begins to look for things to throw at the control force. When control force personnel are jumping, running, and dodging flying objects, the appearance of disorganization exists, and a lack of discipline could possibly encourage the mob to be more aggressive. When a mob is throwing objects, the control force should be equipped with riot shields to enable them to hold their ground in a professional manner.

l Use of riot shields. Military and Federal law enforcement personnel on duty at the various Cuban Refugee Camps in 1980 suffered many casualties. Most of the injuries were caused by thrown objects. It was discovered that helmets and face shields and flak jackets alone do not offer sufficient protection. Casualties were reduced and better control was realized when riot shields were introduced and properly used by the various agencies. Riot shields not only provide protection for the officers, but are tools for pushing back crowds.

CROWD AND MOB CONTROL FORMATIONS

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Describe the three types of formations used in crowd and mob control. Explain why formation interval is important.

Crowd control formations can be used effectively many disturbance situations. When properly employed and effectively executed, they represent one of the more practical methods of controlling and dispensing the massed crowd. Crowd control formations are particularly effective against large crowds because they provide to the control force the capability of splitting the crowd or mob into manageable segments.

The limitations of formations must be realized. Formations are not the answer to all disturbance situations. Crowd control forces should not be subjected to unnecessary sniper fire and violent tactics of agitators simply to impress the people with a show of force. When small, dispersed mobs are rampant in an area of operations, formations will be of little value. Further, when a large mob has been split up, the problem is not necessarily solved. Do not assume that rioters have given in and returned to peaceful activities. The small elements may break away from the large mob and engage in small dispensed mob tactics such as sniping, looting, and burning.

TYPES OF FORMATIONS

Lessons learned from civil disturbances in the United States indicate that the most frequently used formations are the wedge, the line, and the echelon. See figure 9-1. A rioting mob usually is attacked on the flank. In general, rioters should be driven to an area where they can do the least damage. Force MUST be kept to a minimum, as violence by the military may cause a mob to become more ferocious.

Figure 9-1.-The wedge, line, and echelon formations.

Wedge

As an offensive formation, the wedge is used to penetrate and split crowds. A wedge of about 35 persons is suitable for clearing an ordinary city street. Normally, about 18 persons should be deployed in the wedge itself, with 3 people supporting each flank. The remaining people form columns of two's in the center of each wedge as support. The flanks of the wedges may be reinforced as necessary.

Line (right or left)

The line formation is most often used because of its offensive and defensive purposes. The position of the squad leader in the line determines right or left line formation. As an offensive formation, the line is used to push or drive crowds straight back or across an open area or up a city street. As a defensive formation, the line might be used to hold a riotous group or to deny access to restricted streets or areas.

Echelon (right or left)

^{The echelon is an} offensive formation used to redirect groups in either open or built-up areas, and to ^{move crowds away from} buildings, fences, or walls. The squad leader is positioned at the rear of the echelon, and the direction of crowd movement from the squad leader's point of view determines right or left echelon.