crowd
Management
Law enforcement agencies have historically been entrusted with crowd management during mass mobilization efforts, such as protests. In recent years , law enforcement agencies across the country were sharply criticized for their use of inflammatory tactics that endanger community members and threaten to escalate violent situations.
Police departments’ crowd management obligations are to protect the First Amendment rights of all demonstrators and to ensure the safety of all people involved in or affected by the demonstrations. To uphold these obligations, law enforcement agencies should partner with organizers and community members to inform response, prioritize de-escalation, and set strict constraints on the use of force.
Featured Post
Historic New York Police Department Settlement Echos CPE’s Long Standing Recommendations on Crowd Management
Data by-the-numbers
In July 2020, federal agents deployed to keep order in Washington, DC, and Portland, OR, had received no training in crowd management.
While some were federal law enforcement officers, others were non-police officers hired on contract by the Department of Homeland Security.
The American Thoracic Society and 1,288 infectious disease specialists have recommended that chemical irritants be avoided when controlling crowds.
Featured Resources
Policing Equity supports communities with data-driven analyses, resources, and policy solutions to improve public safety systems. The policy resources provided contain recommendations grounded in evidence to achieve equity, justice, and safety.
