NCJ Number
44811
Date Published
1976
Length
139 pages
Annotation
A GENERALIZED OVERVIEW OF THEORETICAL METHODS TO DEAL WITH URBAN GUERILLA WARFARE, TACTICAL PROBLEMS, AND POLICE ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS IS PRESENTED.
Abstract
THE PRACTICUM INCLUDES THE TACTICAL APPLICATION OF FORCE UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES, WHICH REQUIRES IMMEDIATE POLICE INTERVENTION, AND METHODS DEALING WITH THE SPECIFIC APPLICATION OF POLICE RESOURCES TO UNDERMINE, PREVENT, COUNTER, AND RESPOND TO URBAN GUERILLA WARFARE IN THE UNITED STATES. IN THE NATIONAL POLICE STRUCTURE, OVER 40,000 AGENCIES OPERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THESE THOUSANDS HAVE OVERLAPPING JURISDICTIONS AND VARYING NUMBERS OF PERSONNEL, TRAINING, AND EQUIPMENT. IN A CRISIS SITUATION, THIS DECENTRALIZED POLICE STRUCTURE PLACES THE BURDEN OF RESPONSE ON THE LOCAL POLICE LEVEL. MANY MUNICIPAL DEPARTMENTS DO NOT HAVE ADEQUATE PERSONNEL, EQUIPMENT, OR BUDGETS TO AFFORD SPECIALIZATION. SOME PREPARATION CAN BE INITIATED WITHOUT EXCESSIVE SPECIALIZATION TO CONTROL THESE UNUSUAL AND CRIMINAL OCCURRENCES. THE LOCAL POLICE ESTABLISHMENTS HAVE VAST JURISDICTIONAL POWERS, AND IN THEIR IMMEDIATE RESPONSE ARE MOST FREQUENTLY THE FIRST ON THE SCENE TO SUCH DIVERSE OCCURRENCES AS HIJACKINGS, KIDNAPPINGS, BOMBINGS, OR ASSAULTS. REGARDLESS OF THE PREVENTIVE ACTION TAKEN ON THE FEDERAL OR STATE LEVEL, THE IMMEDIATE CRISIS AREA MAY BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE LOCAL POLICE. THEIR JURISDICTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND INADEQUACY PLANNING MAY SEVERELY RESTRICT THE HANDLING AND OUTCOME OF SUCH ACTS. IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT LOCAL DEPARTMENTS HAVE A POLICY AND ABILITY TO RESPOND TO ANY OF THESE VARIED SITUATIONS, WITH A MAJOR EMPHASIS ON CORRECT POLICE ACTION AFTER THEIR ARRIVAL. TO ACCOMPLISH THIS TASK, POLICE OFFICERS MUST HAVE A MAXIMUM NUMBER OF TRAINING EXPERIENCES FROM WHICH TO DRAW. THIS PRACTICUM IS DESIGNED TO ASSIST IN PLANNING POLICE RESPONSE TO URBAN GUERILLA WARFARE, TERRORIST ACTIVITIES, AND OPERATIONS IN WHICH SPECIFIC, SPECIALIZED POLICE RESPONSE CAN BE A DETERMINING FACTOR. ACTIVITIES MUST CONSTANTLY BE WEIGHED IN THE CONTEXT OF THE CONSTITUTION AND OF THE APPLICABLE LAWS IN EACH SITUATION FOR EVENTUAL CRIMINAL PROSECUTION. THE POLICE MUST DEMONSTRATE A HIGH REGARD FOR PROTECTING THE RIGHTS OF THE CITIZEN APPREHENDED IN SUCH CRIMINAL ACTIONS. TO DO THIS, PLANNING, PREPARATION, AND TRAINING MUST BE CONDUCTED. SPECIFIC TRAINING PROGRAMS, SCENARIOS, OR INNOVATIONS CAN BE DEVISED TO ASSIST THE INDIVIDUAL DEPARTMENT AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER IN THEIR PREPARATION FOR VIOLENT CONFRONTATION IN THE FUTURE. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS APPENDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED).