Crowd Control

Course Law Enforcement II Unit XI Crowd Control Essential Question How does a police officer effectively handle a hostile crowd? TEKS 130.294(c) (11)(A)(B) Prior Student Learning Use of Force Estimated Time 2 to 3 hours Rationale There are times an officer will come across riotous crowds on the street. The officer needs to be able to safely control the crowds while working as a team with other officers. Objectives The student will be able to: 1. List the things a crowd control unit may need to do during a riot 2. Name the different formations used in a riot and describe their purposes 3. Identify the riot baton target areas and fatal areas on a body and explain the different grips used on the baton 4. Demonstrate the various riot formations and baton strikes 5. Simulate concepts learned for one-on-one combat with a baton Engage Use the following questions for a class discussion. What factors play into and have to be taken into consideration by officers when dealing with riotous crowds? Why do people in a crowd do things they would not do if they were by themselves? Use the Discussion Rubric for assessment. Key Points I. A full riot team is composed of fifteen (15) people trained and drilled to move in areas of disturbance with adequate equipment and to do one of four things: A. Contain crowd activity B. Assault or divide a crowd C. Move or guide a crowd D. Extract a hostage or any injured personnel II. Unit Riot Team Movement A. Double Time is a controlled jog in formation (usually a single or double column) designed to cover great distances with no opposition. 1. The preparatory command is Team at a Double Time. B. Full Step Full Step is a normal stride, still keeping in formation. 1. Designed to cover large distances with little opposition. 2. The preparatory command is Team at Full Step. C. Half Step is approximately an eighteen-inch step in formation to move at a slower pace or over a short distance with increased opposition. 1. The preparatory command is Team at Half Step. 1
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2. Unit Riot Teams Non-Movement 3. One additional speed that is utilized does not involve movement: D. Mark Time is normally a half-step in place, designed to allow the squad to regroup or encounter a specific problem. 1. The preparatory command is Team Mark Time. III. Team Stances A. There are three basic team stances in formation: 1. Rest Position The feet are shoulder-width apart, arms lowered down by side, baton held in a relaxed, ready position 2. Ready Position The feet are shoulder-width apart, baton held diagonally across the body (45 degree angle) about 2-4 inches from the chest. This position will be assumed when formed in any team formation. This position will also be utilized when moving from one place to another. 3. On Guard Position Feet are in a T shaped stance, knees slightly bent, elbows in close to body, baton held at waist level pointing towards the rioters IV. Riot Formations A. The Column - All team members line up in a straight column, one behind the other. The team members will look straightforward and stand in the ready position. It is in this formation that the team will count off and determine what position each member in the formation will assumed. This formation will also be used in moving from one area to another. B. The Line - is primarily used to move a crowd straight back. The method of formation is for the Point Man (#2) to go to a location designated by the team leader. The remainder of the team automatically follows the Point Man, lining up, with the even numbered officers to the right and the odd to the left. The team members will align themselves in sequence, on line with the Point Man, one pace apart. If the Team Leader desires, and the situation requires, this distance may be increased or decreased as necessary C. The Wedge - is designed to split a large group into two smaller entities. The small groups can then be controlled by additional support teams. The method of formation is for the Point Man (#2) to go to a location designated by the team leader. The remainder of the team automatically follows the Point Man, lining up with the even numbered officers on the right and the odd to the left. The team members will align themselves in sequence, one pace apart and one pace behind the Point Man. This distance may be increased or decreased as necessary. After assuming the 2
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Wedge, the officers will automatically assume the on guard position and await further orders. D. The Diagonal Left and Diagonal Right - is designed to move a crowd away from a barrier such as a barricade or wall, and can be used to turn a crowd. The method of formation is for the Point Man (#2) to go to a location designated by the Team leader. The remainder of the team automatically follows the Point Man, lining up in numerical sequence, one pace apart and behind the officer in front of them, dependent upon the direction of the diagonal. After forming the diagonal, the officers will assume the on guard position and await further orders. E. The Diamond - is used to penetrate a crowd and extract a hostage or injured person. It is formed by placing two wedge formations back-to-back with the formation facing opposite directions. It can be formed by a single team or a combination of two or more teams. It is an extremely difficult formation to execute and should only be used by a well-drilled and experienced team. V. Riot Batons are use-of-force equipment that are used primarily for defense and should only be used to prevent serious bodily injury to another person, or to prevent serious property damage. The baton will never be used to punish. A. Strike Points The baton is an invaluable tool for use in any disturbance control situation. Officers using riot control batons must have a thorough knowledge of the vulnerable points on the human body. B. Places on the Body to Target 1. Thigh, between the hip and knee 2. Upper arm, between the elbow and shoulder C. The baton can be used to punch someone in the abdomen to keep them away E. Fatal or Permanent Damage Impact Points 1. Head 2. Joints (elbows and knees) 3. Kidneys 4. Lower Sternum 5. Genitals 6. Neck and Throat F. Riot Baton Grips 1. Two-Handed Grip It is necessary to utilize a secure grip on the baton to affect a good strike with it and maintain possession of it. The preferred grip is that using both hands. The strong hand will hold the baton with a firm grip, palm down. The weak hand will be on the strike end of the baton, 2-4 inches from the end to prevent injury, palm up, with a firm grip. 3
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2. One-Handed Grip - The second grip utilized the officers strong arm only. The officer grasps the baton handle firmly, keeping the baton close to his body to maintain possession. The weak arm can thus be used to protect the body, with or without a shield, or take an additional hold on the baton handle to provide a more controlled and powerful strike. 3. Two-Handed Thrust - The two-handed thrust is made from the on-guard stance. The body is thrust forward rapidly by advancing the left foot. The left arm is snapped fully straight, driving the striking end of the baton into a selected vulnerable point of the opponents body. To prevent permanent injury or death, the officer must never direct the thrust at the throat area or soft underbelly.. 4. One- or Two-Hand Strike - The one- or two-hand strike can be made from any stance. The body is thrust forward rapidly by advancing the foot opposite the side the strike is being performed from. The striking arm is snapped straight, allowing the striking end of the baton to impact on a vulnerable point of the opponents body. After striking the opponent, the baton must be utilized in a combination of strikes or quickly returned to the officers body to prevent your opponents taking control of the baton. 5. Butt Stroke - The butt stroke is delivered from the on-guard position. The butt stroke is made by advancing the body rapidly off the foot. The right arm is snapped straight. The handle of the baton is driven to the left, striking the opponents shoulder, chest, or collarbone. The left hand is kept even with the left shoulder. The butt stroke can be fatal if the side of the neck or head is struck. After delivering the blow, the officer returns to the on-guard position. 6. Baton Smash -The baton smash can be delivered from the rest, ready, or on-guard positions. The baton is held horizontal to the ground, chest high. The smash is executed by advancing the left foot rapidly. Both arms are snapped straight, smashing the length of the baton across the opponents chest. After delivering the smash, the officer returns to the on-guard position. 7. In many situations, officers may have to employ the riot baton to defend themselves. This may be a defense against armed or unarmed attackers. Defensive techniques enable officers to defend against blows to the head, jabs and stabs to the body, and hand holds. The officer can utilize the offensive techniques listed previously in a defensive manner to protect him or herself. 8. The riot baton, in the hands of trained officers, is a 4
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formidable tool, but is normally used in conjunction with other measures to be most effective. The officer who is skillful in using a riot baton can adequately cope with most situations that require physical restraint. Riot Team officers must be trained with the baton to the point that they use the various techniques automatically. Activities 1. Have the students practice the different formations talked about in the lesson. Use the Individual Work Rubric for assessment. 2. In an Instructor/Student Ration of 1:20, the instructor(s) should follow the included Crowd Control Checklist to insure that each student has participated in each of the components of crowd control formations, stances, and baton strikes. 3. Explain to the class that the ready position in a one-on-one combat situation (not when in formation like the computer-based presentation talks about) entails an officer in a squatted, bladed stance with the end of the baton resting between the elbow and shoulder of the arm that is the farthest away from their opponent. The hand closest to the offender should be raised about eye level and open to block any potential punches the officer could receive. Have half the class take a pad and the other half get a padded baton. Have the two groups form two lines facing each other. Make sure each student has one partner from the other line across from them. Have the group with the pads put the pads over the outside of their right or left thigh. Have the group with the batons get in ready position and strike the pad when the instructor says, strike. The students only strike the pad once each time the instructor says, strike, then return to the ready position. After a few times of this, instruct the students that when the instructor says, strike, the student with the baton will hit the outside of the thigh, bring the baton underneath the arm of the opposite arm, and then bring the baton back down to hit inside of the thigh. After this they return to ready position until the instructor says, strike, again. This means the student holding the pad will have to move the pad to the inside of their thigh after the outside of their thigh has been hit. Instruct the students to say, get down, when they hit the pad. This allows them to release the nervous energy from their stomach. This also tells the offender exactly what the officer wants them to do, as well as gives witnesses something to testify about in defense of the officer if the incident was ever to go to court over excessive force claims. After so many times of this, have the students switch the pads and batons. Use the Crowd Control Activities Rubric for assessment. 5
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4. This is also focused towards a one-on-one combat situation. If available, have a student (or the instructor) put the padded training suit on. Each student, with a baton, will take a turn fighting the person in the suit. Explain to the students beforehand that the key to taking down an offender is to consistently hit the offender in the thigh target area. Explain that it normally takes on average 4 or 5 consistent strikes for someone to pass out from the pain of the baton and go down. Advise the students that in a real life situation, you would turn the offender onto their side until they came to, so the offender would not choke on their vomit. The person in the padded training suit needs to actively go after the student who has the baton. The person in the suit should only fall to the ground after the student has successfully hit him in the thigh consistently 4 or 5 times. Use the Crowd Control Activities Rubric for assessment. Assessments Crowd Control Exam and Key Crowd Control Checklist Crowd Control Activities Rubric Discussion Rubric Individual Work Rubric Materials Crowd Control computer-based presentation Crowd Control Handout Padded training suit Padded Batons Mats Pads with handles on one side for the students to put their arms through Computers with Internet access or other research resources Resources Correctional Officer Resource Guide, 3rd edition, American Correctional Association Accommodations for Learning Differences For reinforcement, have students list the things they would need a crowd to do at any given time (for purposes of containing crowd activity, assaulting or dividing a crowd, moving or guiding a crowd, extracting a hostage or any injured personnel, etc.) and identify which formations would be needed to do these things. Use the Individual Work Rubric for assessment. For enrichment, have students research how police departments responded to well known riots like the Los Angeles riots in the early 1990s. Use the 6
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Individual Work Rubric for assessment. State Education Standards Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Career and Technical Education 130.294. Law Enforcement II (One to Two Credits) (11) The student implements crowd management strategies to maintain control over large gatherings. The student is expected to: (A) role play techniques employed to effectively control crowds; and (B) explain the deployment of less-than-lethal and chemical crowd control measures. College and Career Readiness Standards English Language Arts III. Speaking B. Listen effectively in informal and formal situations 1. Listen critically and respond appropriately to presentations. 2. Listen actively and effectively in one-on-one situations

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Name_____________

_____

Date_____________

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Crowd Control Exam

_____1. A full riot team is composed of how many officers? a) 5 b) 3 c) 15 d) 30 _____2. What is the riot team trained to do (choose from the four answers provided below)? I. Contain crowd activity II. Assault or divide a crowd III. Move or guide a crowd IV. Extract a hostage or any injured personnel a) I only b) I and II only c) I, II, and III only d) I, II, III, and IV _____3. What is a normal stride designed to cover large distances with little opposition? a) Double Time b) Full Step c) Half Step d) Mark Time _____4. What is normally a half step in place, designed to allow the squad to regroup or encounter a specific problem? a) Double Time b) Full Step c) Half Step d) Mark Time _____5. What is approximately an eighteen-inch step in formation to move at a slower pace or over a short distance with increased opposition? a) Double Time b) Full Step c) Half Step d) Mark Time _____6. What is a controlled jog in formation (usually a single or double column) designed to cover great distances with no opposition? a) Double Time b) Full Step c) Half Step d) Mark Time 8
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_____7. What position has the feet shoulder-width apart, baton held diagonally across the body (45*) about 2-4 inches from the chest and is utilized when moving from one place to another? a) Rest Position b) Ready Position c) On Guard Position _____8. In what position are the feet in a T shaped stance, knees slightly bent, elbows in close to body, baton held at waist level pointing towards the rioters? a) Rest Position b) Ready Position c) On Guard Position _____9. In what position are the feet shoulder-width apart, arms lowered down by the side, baton held in a relaxed, ready position? a) Rest Position b) Ready Position c) On Guard Position _____10. What formation is primarily used to move a crowd straight back? a) The Column Formation b) The Line Formation c) The Wedge Formation d) The Diagonal Left and Diagonal Right Formation e) The Diamond Formation _____11. What formation is designed to move a crowd away from a barrier such as a barricade or wall, and can be used to turn a crowd? a) The Column Formation b) The Line Formation c) The Wedge Formation d) The Diagonal Left and Diagonal Right Formation e) The Diamond Formation _____12. In what formation do all team members line up in a straight column one behind the other? a) The Column Formation b) The Line Formation c) The Wedge Formation d) The Diagonal Left and Diagonal Right Formation e) The Diamond Formation _____13. What formation is used to penetrate a crowd and extract a hostage or injured person? a) The Column Formation b) The Line Formation c) The Wedge Formation d) The Diagonal Left and Diagonal Right Formation e) The Diamond Formation 9
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_____14. What formation is designed to split a large group into two smaller entities? a) The Column Formation b) The Line Formation c) The Wedge Formation d) The Diagonal Left and Diagonal Right Formation e) The Diamond Formation _____15. The baton must be used to punish people at times to maintain control of a crowd. a) True b) False The following list is for questions 16 and 17: I. Thigh II. Genitals III. Kidneys IV. Neck V. Upper Arm VI. Joints _____16. What is an area of the body that is okay to target with the baton? a) I b) I and II c) III and VI d) I and V e) II, III, IV, VI _____17. What is an area of the body that can be fatal if hit with the baton? a) I b) I and II c) III and VI d) I and VI e) II, III, IV, VI _____18. The throat is an area that can be punched with the baton to keep someone off of you. a) True b) False _____19. Which baton grip utilizes the officers strong arm? a) one-handed grip b) two-handed grip _____20. Which baton grip is necessary to utilize a secure grip on the baton to affect a good strike and maintain possession of it? a) one-handed grip b) two-handed grip 10
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_____21. What can be made from any stance, and after striking the opponent the baton must be utilized in a combination of strikes or quickly returned to the officers body to prevent your opponents from taking control of the baton? a) Two-Handed Thrust b) One- or Two-Hand Strike c) Butt Stroke d) Baton Smash _____22. What is made from the on-guard stance and must never be directed at the throat area or soft underbelly? a) Two-Handed Thrust b) One- or Two-Hand Strike c) Butt Stroke d) Baton Smash _____23. What is made by advancing the body rapidly off the foot and can be fatal if the side of the neck or head is struck? a) Two-Handed Thrust b) One- or Two-Hand Strike c) Butt Stroke d) Baton Smash _____24. What is executed by advancing the left foot rapidly and the baton is held horizontal to the ground, chest high? a) Two-Handed Thrust b) One- or Two-Hand Strike c) Butt Stroke d) Baton Smash _____25. Riot team officers must be trained with the baton to the point that they use the various techniques automatically. a) True b) False

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Crowd Control Exam Key

1. C 2. D 3. B 4. D 5. C 6. A 7. B 8. C 9. A 10. B 11. D 12. A 13. E 14. C 15. B 16. D 17. E 18. B 19. A 20. B 21. B 22. A 23. C 24. D 25. A

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Crowd Control Handout

Team and Formation Commands: 1. All team leaders will utilize standard hand/arm signals and verbal commands. There will be no variance in these signals and commands in individual teams to prevent the possible miscommunication in the team as a whole. 2. Verbal commands will be issued in two parts. a. The first will be a preparatory command notifying the team of the formation to be assumed. b. The second is the execution command telling the team to begin assuming the formation. The execution command will always be ready, move. 3. There are two basic situations in which hand/arm signals will be utilized. a. Any time a team is moving into an area in an attempt to be undetected by the opposing force b. In situations where high noise levels prevent the team members from hearing verbal commands 4. Unit riot teams will move at three different speeds, depending upon the situation and the distance to be covered. a. Double Time is a controlled jog in formation (usually a single or double column) designed to cover great distances with no opposition. The preparatory command is Team at a Double Time. b. Full Step is a normal stride, still keeping in formation. Designed to cover large distances with little opposition. The preparatory command is Team at Full Step. c. Half Step is approximately an eighteen-inch step in formation to move at a slower pace or over a short distance with increased opposition. The preparatory command is Team at Half Step. 5. When the team moves in an aggressive formation, it is imperative that it be done as a unit. To ensure this, all team members must be moving simultaneously. To fill this need, we will sound cadence. As the team members left foot strikes the ground, the team members will shout the word move. This way each of you will be able to check your step. In addition, the noise your team makes by stomping its feet and shouting move will add to your already intimidating appearance. a. One additional speed that we utilize does not involve movement: (1) Mark Time is normally a half step in place, designed to allow the squad to regroup or encounter a specific problem. The preparatory command is Team Mark Time.

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Crowd Control Checklist

Students Name: ________________________ Date: _______________________ Skills (1 pt. each) Demonstrate Double Time Demonstrate Full Step Demonstrate Half Step Demonstrate Rest Position with Baton Demonstrate Ready Position with Baton Demonstrate On-Guard Position with Baton Demonstrate The Column Demonstrate The Wedge Demonstrate The Diamond Demonstrate Thigh Strike inside & outside Demonstrate Upper Arm Strike Demonstrate Abdomen Strike Demonstrate Two-Handed Grip Demonstrate One-Handed Grip Total Points (14 pts.) Comments: Passed

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Name:____________________________________

Date:_____________________________________

Crowd Control Activities Rubric

Objectives Practice formations Full Participation Focused/On task Demonstrate formations (see checklist) Demonstrate all skills One-on-one combat (partner) Focused/On task Respect equipment Demonstrate move Say get down One-on-one combat (Red man suit) Accurately strike offender 4-5 times Respect equipment Follow Instructions Follow all instructions Act responsibly Attentive Audience Watch attentively No horse play Total Points (24 pts.) Comments: 4 pts. Excellent 3 pts. Good 2 pts. Needs Some Improvement 1 pt. Needs Much Improvement N/A Pts.

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Name_______________________________________

Date_______________________________

Discussion Rubric
Objectives Participates in group discussion Encourages others to join the conversation Keeps the discussion progressing to achieve goals Shares thoughts actively while offering helpful recommendations to others Gives credit to others for their ideas Respects the opinions of others Involves others by asking questions or requesting input Expresses thoughts and ideas clearly and effectively Total Points (32 pts.) Comments: 4 pts. Excellent 3 pts. Good 2 pts. Needs Some Improvement 1 pt. Needs Much Improvement N/A Pts.

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Name______________________________________

Date_______________________________________

Individual Work Rubric

Objectives
Follows directions Student completed the work as directed, following the directions given, in order and to the level of quality indicated Time management Student used time wisely and remained on task 100% of the time Organization Student kept notes and materials in a neat, legible, and organized manner. Information was readily retrieved Evidence of learning Student documented information in his or her own words and can accurately answer questions related to the information retrieved *Research/Gathering information (if relevant) Student used a variety of methods and sources to gather information. Student took notes while gathering information Total Points (20 pts.)

4 pts. Excellent

3 pts. Good

2 pts. Needs Some Improvement

1 pt. Needs Much Improvement

N/A

Pts.

Comments:

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