NCJ Number
170694
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 64 Issue: 10 Dated: (October 1997) Pages: 124,126-127,129
Date Published
1997
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article describes the Pulaski Police Department's (Tennessee) policy and procedures for dealing with the annual demonstrations of the Ku Klux Klan in that town.
Abstract
In 1865 ex-Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest and several of his friends formed a clandestine, politically reactionary organization in Pulaski they called the Ku Klux Klan (KKK). Although this group was disbanded in 1869, its name was resurrected in the early 1900's by another group in Atlanta, Ga. Today Pulaski has a trivial Klan membership and few sympathizers, but modern leaders of the KKK use the city as a platform to gain media attention with annual public demonstrations for the past 10 years. To date, there have been only two arrests made during the 10 years of demonstrations, both for minor offenses. The maintenance of peace during the demonstrations is due largely to the planning and preventive efforts of the 20-member police department. Once it became apparent that the demonstrations were to be an annual event, potential problems were studied and addressed year-round. The aid of a variety of community-based groups was enlisted to combat the negative effects such events might produce. The police keep these groups posted on planned events and anticipated attendees and teach them how to help avoid problems caused by these events. The need to avoid confrontation is emphasized. The police philosophy is to treat demonstrators with respect and respond with force only when it is absolutely required. Police contact event planners as soon as they know there is to be an event. Police rely heavily on authoritative intelligence information. Information is continually sought and supplied; strategy is constantly evaluated in the light of the most recent information; and actions are always assessed within the framework of the strategy.