Posted on Apr 28, 2015
Law Enforcement vs Military: Effectiveness in Riot Control
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Protests can quickly turn violent. Riots are becoming more and more common as a means to counter perceived injustices at the hands of law enforcement. Law Enforcement was found lacking in the LA riots. They expanded most of resources at an unsustainable rate. The National Guard would eventually be called in to control the situation. Currently we are seeing the National Guard being mobilized in mass in response to the riots in Baltimore. How this this play out?
Are soldiers more able to handle such a chaotic situation? Do soldiers have a better understanding of the implications in the use of force? Or do civilians only focus their aggression on law enforcement?
Are soldiers more able to handle such a chaotic situation? Do soldiers have a better understanding of the implications in the use of force? Or do civilians only focus their aggression on law enforcement?
Posted in these groups: 
Law Enforcement
Law Enforcement
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
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I would say the answer is "it depends." It all depends on the situation, the resources available (police) and who is better trained in that area to handle riots.
Riot control is part of law enforcement, which we (they) all need to be ready to execute. Military Police units train on this. National Guard units even more so, as their mission on most days can be to reinforce local law enforcement. What I am at a loss for, is why in Ferguson, and then in Baltimore, these units were on site in advance. I would say the best the solution is mobilize the guard early and have them ready.
Riot control involves cordon off areas, stopping and dispersing the protesters, and apprehending all those who violate laws.
I also know there is a huge concern over looking heavy handed when dealing with rioters, when heavy handedness by police, or alleged heavy handedness, police tread lightly in order to prevent making the situation worse.
In that regard, the National Guard (if properly trained and equipped) might be the best first line of defense against rioters...
Certainly no easy solutions here.
Riot control is part of law enforcement, which we (they) all need to be ready to execute. Military Police units train on this. National Guard units even more so, as their mission on most days can be to reinforce local law enforcement. What I am at a loss for, is why in Ferguson, and then in Baltimore, these units were on site in advance. I would say the best the solution is mobilize the guard early and have them ready.
Riot control involves cordon off areas, stopping and dispersing the protesters, and apprehending all those who violate laws.
I also know there is a huge concern over looking heavy handed when dealing with rioters, when heavy handedness by police, or alleged heavy handedness, police tread lightly in order to prevent making the situation worse.
In that regard, the National Guard (if properly trained and equipped) might be the best first line of defense against rioters...
Certainly no easy solutions here.
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CPT (Join to see)
I think that the Governors are reluctant to call the guard into a city. It shows that they Mayor has lost control in their own city. The Gov has to step in and take it over. You have a Republican Gov and a Democratic Mayor. I am sure there is some tension there. Just look how the Mayor tried to handle this and fail.
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I remember In Basic training we all went thru 1 day of "Civil Disturbance Training" the National Guard and Reserve personnel went 6 hours additional training on 4 consecutive weekends ... just for the basics in the 70's before they even got to their units and now they actually have Civil disturbance Training ... (or did when i retired) , where they send entire units during both Drill weekends and annual Training (Summer Camps)... Most National Guard Units were quite proficient in "Riot Control"
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Escalation of force won't work. Overwhelming shows of force will.
The issue we have now is that police are trained to "escalate up" to the appropriate level of force, which unfortunately will create a "death spiral" situation until we need to call in the National Guard.
That is Overwhelming Force. Rioters when encountering Overwhelming Force will stop dead in their tracks.
Unfortunately, when you go from Civilian Protesters (even Rioters) to Military Riot Control, you run into a Public Affairs nightmare. The perception is just not a good one. Sure, it may have been "necessary" but all the photos show is a Tactical Force standing there in "our Neighborhoods keeping the People down."
So.. of course the National Guard is more capable of handling the situation... but just because they are more capable, doesn't mean they are better suited to do it.
The issue we have now is that police are trained to "escalate up" to the appropriate level of force, which unfortunately will create a "death spiral" situation until we need to call in the National Guard.
That is Overwhelming Force. Rioters when encountering Overwhelming Force will stop dead in their tracks.
Unfortunately, when you go from Civilian Protesters (even Rioters) to Military Riot Control, you run into a Public Affairs nightmare. The perception is just not a good one. Sure, it may have been "necessary" but all the photos show is a Tactical Force standing there in "our Neighborhoods keeping the People down."
So.. of course the National Guard is more capable of handling the situation... but just because they are more capable, doesn't mean they are better suited to do it.
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CPT (Join to see)
I don't think that there are really that many issues with calling in the National Guard. I would rather deal with the PR nightmare of having the Guard there than that of rioters destroying more property each and everyday.
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
CPT (Join to see) I agree, however this is a concern that the Governor has to deal with. We looking down have the advantage of ONLY having overwhelming force, therefore it makes sense to use it to just fix the problem. There is no escalation issue for us.
The State/Local guys have an ingrained philosophy they must combat, as well the Governor(s) dealing with these things so infrequently, that there is no SOP. It is all case-by-case. For someone who may be looking at future political aspirations, or who has others' future political aspirations tied to him... this situation is infinitely more complex than it is to us.
The State/Local guys have an ingrained philosophy they must combat, as well the Governor(s) dealing with these things so infrequently, that there is no SOP. It is all case-by-case. For someone who may be looking at future political aspirations, or who has others' future political aspirations tied to him... this situation is infinitely more complex than it is to us.
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