NCJ Number
104772
Journal
British Journal of Criminology Volume: 27 Issue: 1 Dated: (Winter 1987) Pages: 37-46
Date Published
1987
Length
10 pages
Annotation
The discipline and preparedness afforded by paramilitarism permits police to quell civil disorder with less force than would otherwise be required, but the potential for the inappropriate use of police force still exists.
Abstract
Public perceptions of police legitimacy require that the police maintain public order impartially and with minimum force. Although some fear that the police adoption of paramilitary defensive and offensive technologies will encourage inappropriate police violence at crowd protests, an historic review of British civil disorders indicates the opposite can be true. When the police have been poorly protected and undisciplined in responding to civil disorders, sever injuries and deaths of both police and rioters have occurred. On the other hand, when police feel secure in their protective equipment, have been trained and disciplined to use the minimal force necessary to maintain control, and are perceived by the crowd to be well protected and well armed, the probability of violence is minimized. A paramilitary approach to riot control should not be carried to the extent of militarizing a special national riot police. Cost considerations would necessarily limit the size and response time for such a force, thus increasing the likelihood that firepower would be used and thus expected in citizen confrontations with such a unit. The central dilemma for the police, even when they are well equipped and disciplined, is to determine when, how much, and against whom force should be used to maintain order.