NCJ Number
52992
Journal
Campus Law Enforcement Journal Volume: 8 Issue: 6 Dated: (NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 1978) Pages: 6-11
Date Published
1978
Length
6 pages
Annotation
SPECIAL PROBLEMS FACED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IN INVESTIGATING THE CRIME SCENE AT A SPECTATOR SPORTS EVENT, ESPECIALLY IN A STADIUM, ARE CONSIDERED, CONCERNING PERSONNEL, EQUIPMENT, AND EXPECTED PROBLEMS.
Abstract
LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO DEVELOP THE SPECIAL COMMUNICATION AND SURVEILLANCE SKILLS NECESSARY FOR DEALING WITH CROWDS AT SPORTS EVENTS AND TO ACQUIRE AN APPRECIATION FOR CROWD PSYCHOLOGY. POLICE MANAGERS CAN ASSURE GOOD POLICE PERFORMANCE BY ASSIGNING OFFICERS TO THESE EVENTS WHO HAVE PROVEN THEMSELVES TO BE CAPABLE OF HANDLING SUCH EVENTS E.G., EXPERIENCED OFFICERS AND/OR OFFICERS WHO CAN REMAIN TACTFUL DESPITE FATIGUE, AND BAD WEATHER. SINCE STADIUMS ARE OFTEN UNDER THE OVERLAPPING JURISDICTION OF SEVERAL AGENCIES, LINES OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN AGENCIES AND CAREFUL ALLOTMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES MUST BE DEVELOPED. SHOULD AN INCIDENT OCCUR, THE INVESTIGATIVE EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS NEEDED BY THE OFFICERS TO SECURE THE CRIME SCENE SHOULD BE READILY AVAILABLE. BESIDES STANDARD EQUIPMENT, OFFICERS ON DUTY AT A SPECTATOR SPORTS EVENT SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO ARREST PACKETS TO COPE WITH A LARGE NUMBER OF SUSPECTS, BINOCULARS, MAPS OF THE AREA, BLUEPRINTS OF THE STADIUM, ROPES AND SURVEYING FLAGS TO CORDON OFF AN AREA, TIMETABLES FOR COMMON CARRIERS SINCE MANY SPECTATORS MAY BE FROM OUT OF TOWN, AND SOME SECURE AREA OUT OF THE PUBLIC VIEW. LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS SHOULD BE PREPARED TO DEAL WITH PROBLEMS UNIQUE TO THESE SITUATIONS; I.E., CROWD HARASSMENT, CROWD APATHY, ADVERSE WEATHER, LIMITED MOBILITY, THE REACTIONS OF PERSONS OCCUPYING EXPENSIVE SEATS WHO ARE ASKED TO MOVE BY AN INVESTIGATING OFFICER, AND SPECTATORS WHO HAVE HAD TOO MUCH TO DRINK. PHOTOGRAPHS ILLUSTRATE THE ARTICLE, AND A BRIEF LIST OF REFERENCES IS PROVIDED. (MLC)