NCJ Number
29628
Date Published
1975
Length
156 pages
Annotation
ANALYSIS OF RIOT AND CIVIL DISTURBANCE PREVENTION MEASURES UTILIZED IN THREE DEMOCRATIC SOCIETIES, FRANCE, GREAT BRITAIN, AND THE UNITED STATES.
Abstract
LARGE SCALE CIVIL DISTURBANCES AND THE OVERALL PROBLEMS, THEY CREATE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AS WELL AS NATIONAL GOVERNMENTS ARE EXAMINED IN DETAIL. THE AUTHOR USES ACTUAL INCIDENTS SUCH AS THE 1968 CHICAGO DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION, THE 1968 DANIEL COHN-BENDIT INSPIRED STUDENT REVOLT IN PARIS, AND THE VIOLENT 1969 BOGSIDE RIOT IN NORTHERN IRELAND TO POINT OUT WHAT HE CONSIDERS TO BE THE MAJOR PROS AND CONS IN RIOT CONTROL AND SUPPRESSION. THE AUTHOR BELIEVES THAT IT IS IMPORTANT FOR POLICE TO REACT IN THE MOST EFFECTIVE MANNER AND MAINTAIN A FAVORABLE MEDIA IMPRESSION. SINCE IT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO THOSE INDIVIDUALS INITIATING THE RIOT THAT THE POLICE APPEAR AS THE ANTAGONISTS TO THE OVERALL PUBLIC, IT IS IMPERATIVE THE POLICE PRESENT A STABLE REASSURING IMAGE. ADDITIONALLY HE SUGGESTS THAT POLICE AGENCIES CULTIVATE OPEN CHANNELS WITH ALL BRANCHES OF THE MEDIA AND NOT BE EXCESSIVELY SECRETIVE WHEN DISSEMINATING PUBLIC INFORMATION. OTHER ASPECTS COVER THE USE OF SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT SUCH AS VIDEOTAPE SYSTEMS FOR RECORDING RIOT PARTICIPANTS.