NCJ Number
57913
Journal
POLICE COLLEGE MAGAZINE Volume: 14 Issue: 4 Dated: (SPRING 1978) Pages: 31-35
Date Published
1978
Length
7 pages
Annotation
THIS 1978 STUDY EXPLORES THE RATIONALE FOR CREATING PARAMILITARY POLICE UNITS TO RESPOND TO RIOTS AND TERRORISM. REASONS ARE GIVEN AS TO WHY SUCH UNITS ARE INAPPROPRIATE IN BRITAIN.
Abstract
THE PRECARIOUS BALANCE BETWEEN THE RIGHT TO PROTEST AND THE NEED FOR SOCIETAL ORDER HAS BEEN UNDERMINED BY RECENT UPSURGES IN VIOLENCE RESULTING FROM STUDENT DEMONSTRATIONS, RACIAL UNREST, INDUSTRIAL DEMONTRATIONS, AND TERRORISM. THE FACT THAT POLITICAL EXTREMISTS HAVE MANIPULATED THE LEGITIMATE RIGHT TO PROTEST INTO ACTS OF VIOLENCE HAS LED SOME TO CALL FOR THE CREATION OF A PARAMILITARY RESPONSE. THEY ARGUE THAT THE ONLY RESPONSE SOCIETY HAS TO SUCH VIOLENCE IS THROUGH THE CREATION OF SPECIALLY EQUIPPED AND TRAINED RIOT CONTROL AND ANTITERRORIST UNITS. HOWEVER, THE ROLE WHICH SUCH UNITS CAN PLAY IN ADDRESSING POLITICALLY MANIPULATED VIOLENCE IS QUESTIONABLE. IT IS EVIDENT THAT IF POLITICAL EXTREMISTS SUCCEEDED IN CREATING CONDITIONS OF MASS INSURRECTION THESE SPECIAL UNITS WOULD GIVE WAY TO A MILITARY RESPONSE. WHILE THESE UNITS MAY PLAY A ROLE IN REACTING TO WIDESPREAD DISORDER, FALLING SHORT OF MASS INSURRECTION, IT IS DEBATABLE THAT SUCH CONDITIONS WILL ARISE IN BRITAIN. EVEN THOUGH THE BRITISH PUBLIC MAY BE FACED WITH SUCH PROBLEMS AS UNEMPLOYMENT, RACIAL TENSION, AND INFLATION, THEY ARE UNLIKELY TO RESORT TO POLITICALLY INSPIRED VIOLENCE. THE STRONG BRITISH SUPPORT FOR THEIR POLICE, AS EVIDENCED IN A SERIES OF PUBLIC OPINION POLLS, IS ANOTHER REASON CREATING PARAMILITARY UNITS. THE BRITISH POLICE, INCLUDING THE SPECIAL TASK FORCES CREATED IN THE EARLY 1970'S, HAVE RELIED UPON TRADITIONAL CROWD CONTROL METHODS. THIS RESPONSE HAS PROVEN EFFECTIVE AND HAS WON PUBLIC SUPPORT, WHICH COULD BE LOST IF THE PUBLIC SAW VISORED, HELMETED, CLUB-WIELDING RIOT POLICE USED AGAINST STRIKERS OR DEMONSTRATORS. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (KCP)