NCJ Number
147473
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 63 Issue: 3 Dated: (March 1994) Pages: 1-7
Date Published
1994
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Civil disorder prevention and response techniques are discussed.
Abstract
In response to what appears to be the dual threat of more frequent and more violent civil disturbances, it is imperative that law enforcement agencies develop effective plans to meet this challenge. This article addresses briefly the characteristics of civil disorder, key elements critical to the diffusion of unrest, and management and prevention of civil disorder through effective planning. Focusing on the efforts of the Miami Police Department (Department), the author describes the Department's organizational philosophy concerning the management of civil disorder, a philosophy which is based on containment, communication, coordination, training, and control. After investing time and resources developing preplanning procedures and forming a mobile field force, the author advises that law enforcement agencies should record the information in a written civil disorder plan. This plan should be reviewed at least once a year and updated as needed. Copies of the Department's civil disorder plan are available to law enforcement agencies upon request. Included in this discussion is a description of the mobile field force concept developed by the Department after the violent riots of 1980 to maximize the impact of resources available to the Department.