You’d think after the Capitol Storming and a general year of protests, politicians would be talking about the best tactics in terms of safety and effectiveness in terms of crowd control. But best I can tell, the calls are simply to ban every police tool used.
Police (really through no fault but their own) have trended to no longer using batons. This is a big mistake. Especially as crowd control, they’re great as a deterrent and for keeping distance, which is really important when police are outnumbered. https://www.policemag.com/340095/do-we-still-need-batons
People have called for the banning tear gas. Certainly it’s use should be limited and regulated, but it does usually work at crowd dispersal. If not tear gas, what then? https://www.sciencealert.com/tear-gas-is-so-often-abused-it-should-be-banned-researchers-argue
Last year a judge temporarily banned Detroit police from using batons, shields, gas, rubber bullets, chokeholds or sound cannons against Black Lives Matter protesters. OK, but what should police do when a crowd turns on them? https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2020/09/04/chokehold-police-tactics-against-protesters-temporarily-banned/5721952002/
In LA, there’s been a call to ban the use of police horses as a form of crowd control. Horses are really effective, especially as an alternative to tear gas. If not horses, what is Plan B? https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-01-22/lapds-use-of-horses-at-protest-condemned-by-civil-rights-leaders
New York City criminalized police use of choke holds. OK. (As a citizen, you can still use them.) At the same time, though, they banned pressure on the _diaphragm_ in the course of an arrest. That makes arresting a resisting suspect nearly impossible. https://www.law.com/newyorklawjournal/2020/10/06/manhattan-judge-upholds-city-law-banning-nypd-use-of-choke-holds-in-suit-filed-by-police-unions/?slreturn=20210025111507
DC recently banned OC spray (AKA mace) and all chemical irritants at protests. Also banned were less-lethal projectiles, like rubber bullets. So what does that leave? https://www.npr.org/local/305/2020/06/25/883283633/would-d-c-s-police-reform-bill-have-stopped-m-p-d-from-pepper-spraying-protesters
Police is the US don’t use water cannons and dogs on crowds. That’s our deserved legacy for Civil Rights Era police brutality. But other countries do use these tools, and water cannons can be very effective. But we don’t use them. https://www.dutchnews.nl/news/2021/01/riot-police-use-water-cannon-tear-gas-to-break-up-demos-in-eindhoven-amsterdam/
NYPD sometimes claims it doesn’t even know what “kettling” is, which is odd, since they do. Now it’s not technically “kettling” if people can get out, which matters. But kettling is also an effective tactic in some circumstances. Should it never be used? https://www.amny.com/news/nypd-denies-ever-using-kettling-tactic-against-protesters/
If police can’t use any crowd control tactic, crowds won’t be controlled. Eventually the public will say “enough.” But outrage is bad way to make policy. https://nypost.com/2021/01/22/portland-seattle-residents-slam-weak-response-to-antifa/
You can’t ban every tool in the police officer’s belt and then tell police facing a hostile crowd, “OK, now just do your job and don’t hurt anybody.” Inevitable, things like this will happen. https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article248729060.html
Tasers have a role. But they’re vastly overused. And they are not a silver bullet. They’re also all but useless in crowd control situations. And what happens when Tasers fail? Which is a lot of the time. Then what? https://www.ctinsider.com/news/nhregister/article/Tasers-fail-more-often-than-they-work-with-fatal-15002785.php
People, politicians, and police need to have a serious discussion about crowd control tools, tactics, and techniques. How and when they’re used. How to hold police accountability for their misuse. We need to be having these discussions now, before and not after police face the next angry mob. None of this is happening.
I do agree that we can’t just ban every tool used by the police and then ask them to do there job. But the issue at hand is that many, including those who work and study the criminal justice system, don’t understand what qualifies as an appropriate use of force response as stated within the Use of Force Continuum. I would even argue there are officers who have never heard of even taught what this is and that negligence is what ultimately leads to many cases of possible police brutality which in turn leads to policies like the ones listed above.
Officials in charge such as politicians, people, and police definitely need to take a proactive approach to how police will handle crowd control. Nothing is usually done or implemented until after negative encounters occur. We can’t just ban every tool used by police, but increased training can be implemented so that officers are better prepared for crowd control situations.
if police are not allowed to do their job with the tools they are given, they might as well let every angry crowd just run around and destroy everything around them. because regardless of what police do, they are in the wrong. whether they used too much force with their tools or not enough with little to no tools, someone will always have a problem with how the crowd was dealt with. the problem is not the police but simply the politicians who flip sides simply to gain the publics favor and win votes. to have public order, you have to have some authority maintaining it.
I agree that more over politicians are just limiting the tools a officer can use to safely do their jobs. The public greatly outnumbers the law enforcement community over a hundred fold. So I find it unprofessional of the politicians to make these calls. They don’t our civil servants because they know about the problems on the street or understand how to properly use the tools and know how to teach them. They simply limit our civil servants so they can do better in the polls and the safety of the community doesn’t matter as long as they win another term.
This article was very informative and bears a question that we should be asking. Wonderful read.
People who do not study the Criminal Justice System are usually the first to have an opinion or demands against what police are allowed to do or not do. For example, the banning of using batons was really unnecessary knowing that it is a tool that police use in order to protect themselves and to not allow others to commit crimes. People calling for the banning of tear gas are more than likely calling for it to allow themselves to commit more crimes.
I agree. A police officer can’t be expected to do their job if all his tools are banned or removed. How can you control a crowd with just your hands. Even then, crowds can contain people with weapons, that can severely hurt or kill someone. If that is present, how can an officer defend himself in that situation. In recent events, BLM, ACAB, ANTIFA and rioters have all caused multiple events of destruction and in the end police officers where still held accountable for everything that happened. Those crowds were not safe at all and for an officer to be told that he can’t carry any single defense weapon or tactic is beyond absurd. There are bad officers out there, but one does not represent all of them. As with anything.
I must agree with the fact that the banning of such items is understandable, but just as a civilian has the right to use such weapons to protect themselves, a police officer should be granted the same, but no one is qualified enough to determine what is safe and what is not.
Banning police tools seems irresponsible and ineffective. However, because some police departments fail to train their officers on when to use them, how to use them, who they can use them on has left many of the country’s police officers with their hands tied. Often times you see in the news that officers used pepper spray on a child or used their taser on a mentally unstable person. Because of the actions of some officers, everyone is punished and the police departments that are supposed to serve and protect have nothing to protect themselves or other citizens with. Massive police reform and training need to be implemented so police officers get back some of their tools that are necessary to do their job.
There is a lot of controversy over police brutality in America today. Many BLM protests, where other crowds attended and caused violence and riot, are indeed dangerous events and there has to be some kind of crowd control. People nowadays don’t want to get hurt and that is the truth. Police are forced with very few options in controlling crowds or riots and taking away more does not mean police are fairer than before. If there is a violent situation going on, then the police should use the appropriate amount of force necessary to control the situation. Getting hurt is a part of life and if taking away discretion from the police is going to make the world a better place, then it sure isn’t going anywhere because the world does not work that way.
I feel that everyone needs to be better informed on police tactics and use of force. When I say everyone I mean civilians and the police alike. We can’t expect any officer to to do their job correctly and safely if all their tools are taken from them. The levels of force were also created to ensure an officer’s safety. Without the tools we are just making officers unsafe and maybe even deterring people from wanting to become officers.
It is sad how police officers are not able to defend themselves especially now with a large crowd of protesters into the Capitol storming their way in with no police tools allowed. When they have tools or not they are still to blame for what they do to the people with smiply having a uniform on. They aren’t even allowed with the things mentioned listed above to keep the crowd under control. Are cops suppose to deal with this type of brutality and feeling everyday they are not going to be able to go back to their families that they can end up dead in any minute. This is a very unfair situation.
There has to be a balance in the approach of controlling the public and not use excessive force. Having to main order means law enforcement officials have to use different approaches. It is not what we can do fast and easy, it is what we can do in the most efficient matter. Though, we have to realize things could get out of control in a matter of seconds, but that is why we need to always be on the lookout for danger and plan ahead for any circumstances. More training, research and strategies should help.
I do agree that Police really through no fault but their own have trended to no longer using batons. This is a big mistake. Especially as crowd control, they’re great as a deterrent and for keeping distance, which is really important when police are outnumbered.
By banning the tools officers use in crowds could be dangerous for the officer health and safety during an event like the capital storming. I would agree on having this as a conversation between government, police and the people because everyone should agree on the proper tactics on how to deter crowds from becoming violent crowds. If the meeting does occur they could fine the right balance on what tools to use on crowd control but banning the tools as a whole would be a big mistake leading to more damage than it is currently.
Hey Peter, I say that some of the tactics that are used to control crowds like rubber bullets, tear gas, and a couple of others tend to be used in some situations in which they are not desperately needed. I have to agree with your statement, nowadays politicians are doing everything in their power to do away with forms of defense and tactics that officers have used over the years, which I believe is a bit unnecessary. This leaves police officers at risk of being harmed during protests and riots, at what point do we have to stop and think “what tactics are “good enough”? ” I would also like to add that I really found your book “In Defense of Flogging” quite interesting.
Though, we must recognize that situations can spiral out of control in a matter of seconds, which is why we must always be on the lookout for danger and prepare for any eventuality. More education, research, and tactics should all be beneficial. The technique to regulating the public must strike a balance between avoiding using excessive force and maintaining public order. Having a main order necessitates the deployment of several tactics by law enforcement officials. It’s not about what we can do quickly and easily; it’s about what we can do in the most efficient way possible.
I agree with the use of using batons since like you mentioned it is great as a deterrent. It’s hard to keep a large group at ease or controlled when you have nothing to use. As for batons, shields, gas, rubber bullets, chokeholds or sound cannons being banned, it would be rough to control large groups. Police are unable to protect themselves.
I think there has to be a careful balance between what police are allowed to do in order to handle crowds that does not immediately result in a the crowd turning on the police or the police trampling the crowd. Police departments should examine what works the most efficiently rather than simply using every tool they have at every opportune moment.
I agree that police tools shouldn’t be banned and still be expected to be able to protect themselves without the need to use excessive force. If all tools are banned then what do they have left? Officers may need help trying to control a crowd at times and should have them as an option to use. Without them, eventually they may be forced to use excessive force to survive. These tools may have been banned because they were used incorrectly, but that’s when more training is needed for them to use them properly and be able to use them if needed.
I agree with the article and it explains with detail the situation we have experienced throughout this time. I agree that they shouldn’t just banned any type of tools used by police because that is a way they protect the community and themselves from the riots. I believe politicians should focus more in finding ways to reduce the riots and physical interactions for the protests to be calmed and harmless.
This post sounds like the police are helpless and cannot protect themselfs or anyone. The answer is clearly in their training police1 has this great article “16 police tactics for crowd control during modern demonstrations” that use forms of training to deal with riots and large crowds the emphasis is proper training. Team work, Team arrest and proper Team skills is whats required to properly and effectively handle any type of large crowd. By saying that police officers have their hands tied is untruthful they have many ways of dealing with crowds they just need proper training and funding.
https://www.police1.com/police-products/less-lethal/articles/16-police-tactics-for-crowd-control-during-modern-demonstrations-j2MjoDM83soARucF/
https://www.police1.com/police-products/less-lethal/articles/16-police-tactics-for-crowd-control-during-modern-demonstrations-j2MjoDM83soARucF/
It is truly alarming that police are being stripped from tools that can give police helped in keeping the peace and order. Have they said anything as to why they are doing this? Of course, they do not want people getting hurt but riots contain people with much blind rage that they won’t know the difference from a defensive punch to a killing punch.
First thought, reading this was wow how is it fair for policemen to do their job? Without having the proper equipment. At the end of the day, their job is to make sure no one gets hurt, and everyone is safe. Now, it must absolutely terrifying for these policemen to not feel fully safe. How will they defend themselves or try to defend a citizen. It is key, and crucial for police to have the proper equipment in order to handle specific situations when it comes to crowd control. In many instances, the public crowd may have weapons or such that these policemen will have to use force and defend themselves. Banning certain weapons or tools will only affect safety, and failure for the police
Crowd control is a challenge police officers overwhelmingly face depending on the event it is located as well as the causation. As time evolves and people have the freedom to speak out on their beliefs, it is looked down upon for police officers to inflict pain onto the public. Depending on the situation police officers find themselves at, it is considerable to understand the factors on how and why they perform. The safety of police officers are on the line every day, not only will they protect the public but themselves as well. They have the option to do what they are trained to do in terms of approaching a crowd if outnumbered with violence. However, it is a method that can be improved to enhance the safety of both the public and police officers.
Police should be allowed to use their tools at a reasonable and appropriate event. Police officers are trained to properly use these tools, and with the use of body cams, any of them who use brute and unnecessary force should be punished for it.
The real issue is not removing all policing aids from police, but training them in when and how to effectively use their tools without causing harm when it is not called for. For example, one cannot expect a construction worker to build a house without their tools, as is for police; one cannot expect them to fight crime without the proper weapons/tools. We need to start the conversation on not removing police aids, but providing better training and emphasizing the consequences of misuse.
I agree that banning all of the tools that a police officer uses to control the crowd and defend themselves is not the proper way to go. In the case that the protestors/crowds turn against the officers, the officers will not be able to control anyone and chaos will arise. I believe that a serious discussion has to occur in order for everyone to be on the same page. We need officers to be able to do their jobs with the proper tools and protect themselves at the same time, as we also need to make sure that the crowds are not physically harmed. In addition, officers need to be held accountable in the case that they use excessive, unnecessary force. I understand some officers may take advantage of their power as authority, yet that does not indicate that all of the police officers do the same. It is devastating to admit, but at the end of the day, the police officers are always the ones who are going to be frowned upon, whether it be due to excessive force or insufficient force, “allowing” the protestors to take over.
I do agree that not every tool should be banned to use. like you said the baton is a great tool to maintain distance. however due to the fact the some cops abused their powers and used the baton in the wrong ways. this is what causes banishment of certain tools. they are at fault, but not every cop abused their tools. it should only be banned for cops who have shown signs of abuse with their tools.
I believe there should be limitations on police tools since there’s been several occasions of police misusing them or using excessive force. However, I agree that banning most said tools is ineffective, since without them, police officers will have no control over crowds or riots, leading to even more dangerous situations. Instead of banning tear gas, batons, mace and other tools used for crowd control tactics, they should train police officers how to properly use them so they are more prepared for crowd control situations.
I believe there should be limitations on police tools since there’s been several occasions of police misusing them or using excessive force. However, I agree that banning most said tools is ineffective since without them, police officers will have no control over crowds or riots, leading to even more dangerous situations. Instead of banning tear gas, batons, mace and other tools used for crowd control tactics, they should train police officers how to properly use them so they are more prepared for crowd control situations.
I agree that crowd control and officers accountability needs to be serious discussion, certain techniques and tactis that are being used by police is only making the public angry and getting people hurt when the whole point of why police is there is to make the place safe for everyone and keep control.
I agree that the way to go is not to remove the tools and tactics of crowd control. what I think needs to be discussed in reality and a hard detailed is when they are appropriate to be used. you mention the storm of the capital which was pretty much a riot and with the videos and pictures there was no tools no true force to control the crowd, but in other forms of “protest” their were all these tools used and tactics. what needs to be taught is what level of crowd control is needed for each situation no matter the color or the agenda these protesters believe in. Police must learned to deescalate situations and in many examples they levitate the situation making it worst.
I was there at the 3rd Precinct in South Minneapolis when the situation turned violent. It was a water bottle. The crowd was large and angry, but it was an essentially normal protest. No one had anything helpful to say to that crowd. I can’t recall anyone even trying that afternoon. The police dug in, heavily protected. Someone tossed a water bottle over the barricade. Rubber bullets and tear gas indiscriminately flew into the crowd. Screams and blood, tossed into all that anger. That was it, really. Now it was a battle line of rubber bullets and gas. The gas seemed to be used at least somewhat reasonably, though several people were bloodied by the canisters. The rubber bullets were used in recklessness and anger, again and again, for hours and hours. Someone lost an eye. Everything the police did seemed designed to feed the fury. Every. Single. Thing. Of course water bottles became bricks and molotovs eventually.
I believe the government should have these sorts of tools, but it is overwhelmingly clear that the institutions tasked with using them are outrageously unfit. It is true that taking the tools away will not solve that problem, but I’m not sure why we should care. The truth is, there are only two ways to control a large crowd, aka the people: peaceful, effective leadership, or North Korea.