AJ 53 – Police Field Operations

1. AJ 53 –Police Field Operations Chapter 8 – Unusual Occurrences

2. Major Events • Law Enforcement operates on a fairly consistent, routine basis, but a major event could occur at any time! • Natural disaster, explosion, plane crash… • Planning and preparation are keys to successful response • Patrol officer likely to be first on scene • First-aid, evacuation, protection of property

3. Disaster Response • Planning involves coordination of agencies and resources • Law Enforcement, Fire, Red Cross, etc. • Keep the Community involved/informed • Develop contingencies if initial plan fails • Always have a Plan B, C, D… • Transportation, food, shelter, etc.

4. Disaster Response Procedures • Identify Nature & Extent of Problem • Isolated event or continuing problem? • HAZMAT, medical needs, OAA • Communications • Quickly and thoroughly as possible • First-Aid and Rescue • Preservation and protection of human life • Establish Command Post • Safe distance, communications, facilities, etc.

5. Response Procedures (cont’d) • Contain the Area • Define scene/event parameters • Control ingress and egress • Control Traffic • Media allowed access? • Evacuate Those in Jeopardy • Public Information Updates • Media broadcasts, PIO

6. Response Procedures (cont’d) • Notify Government Agencies as Needed • FEMA, FAA, NTSB, FBI, Homeland Security • Coordinate with Assisting Agencies • Restrict Access to Authorized Personnel • Record Event • Logs, reports, etc. • De-Brief and Evaluate Response

7. Responding to Disasters • Non-essential tasks may stop or be delayed • Routine calls, reports, etc. • Mobilization of Personnel • SWAT, Bomb Squad, other special units • Off-duty officers, Reserves, Dispatchers for CP • Mutual-Aid requests • City, county, state agencies • National Guard under Martial Law

8. Assignments and Responsibilities • Gathering Intelligence & Information • Logistics of Equipment and Supplies • Public Information Officer • Press releases, updates, etc. • Identification of Disaster Victims • Coroner, Medical Examiner • Fingerprints, photos, descriptions, property

9. Civil Unrest • Many reasons for civil unrest… • Political protests/demonstrations • Racial tension • Labor actions • Celebrations • May begin peacefully but escalate due to actions of a few individuals • Law Enforcement must gather/maintain good intelligence on major public gatherings

10. Unlawful Assemblies and Riots • Warning Signals • Types of gatherings, nature/goals of crowd • Police Purpose and Objectives • Prevention, if possible • Protection of Lives and Property • Maintenance and Restoration of the Peace • Containment • Dispersal • Arrests, as needed

11. Psychological Influences • Usually one or more agitators in the crowd who “incite others to riot” • Rumors/propaganda of police-brutality • Entice officers to use force • Often hang out in middle or back of mob • Mob Mentality • Everyone else is doing it! • Anonymity • Just another face in the crowd = hard to identify later • Strength in Numbers • Emboldens mob behavior

12. Stages of Mob Formation • Stage 1 • Crowd functioning as group of individuals • Milling about, isolated pushing/shoving, still possible to move spectators/bystanders • Stage 2 • Crowd members lose individuality, begin to act as single unit • Agitators begin to take control of crowd mentality • Stage 3 • Mob functioning as one, agitators in charge • On the edge of rioting, maybe at slightest provocation • LE response at each stage? • At what stage would LE declare an Unlawful Assembly?

13. Crowd-Control Procedures • Prevention, whenever possible • Face-to-face contact/communication • Assess/Communicate the Situation • Size, motivation, agitators, resources • Containment • Command Post • Rescues, as needed • Officers, bystanders, crowd members, etc.

14. Crowd Control (continued) • Disperse the Crowd • Unlawful Assembly Order protocol • Place “witnesses” in the crowd • Allow Sufficient Time for Dispersal • Provide Avenue of Dispersal • Arrest Law Violators • Failure to Disperse & other related crimes • Evaluate and Assess LE Response

15. Using Squads for Crowd Control • Pre-Designated Roles and Responsibilities • Squad Leader, Asst. Squad Leader, Linebackers, Hookers… • Special uniforms, protective gear/equipment • Squad Movement • Single-file, column-of-twos, quick-time, etc. • Batons at “Port Arms” position • Squad Formations • Skirmish Line • Diagonal • Wedge

16. Strikes, Demonstrations, and Protests • Maintain objectivity & impartiality • Don’t take sides! • Safety is primary concern • Participants, public, bystanders, etc. • Establish/maintain flow of pedestrian and vehicular traffic • Protect freedom of speech • Arrest as necessary

17. Major Crashes andTransportation Incidents • Airplanes, trains, buses, etc. • May result in multiple injuries/deaths • Triage, first-aid, coroner’s investigations • Hazardous materials concerns • Fuel, chemicals, explosions • Evacuations • Injuries, bystanders, surrounding area • Outside Agency coordination • Fire, medics, FAA, NTSB, FBI, etc.

18. Bombs and Bomb Threats • Why & How are bomb threats made? • Law Enforcement Response • Treat every threat as real! • Contact person in charge of location • Identify unusual occurrences, items, etc. • Evacuate building/area as needed • Caution with use of radio, cell phone, etc. • Do not handle/move suspicious objects!!! • Utilize Bomb Squad or K9 as available