Riot control

Sometimes large groups of people get very angry.

This is called a riot. Police try to keep order. They use tools to help crowds move.

Officers wear special gear. They wear hard hats and shields.

They may also wear masks. This gear protects their bodies.

Police use many tools. Some use loud noises to help. Others use water from big hoses.

They may also use spray.

These tools help keep people safe. They try not to hurt anyone. This is called less-than-lethal.

It can be a hard job. Both the police and the crowds feel stress. It is important to stay safe.

Sometimes large groups of people protest or riot. Riot control is how police or soldiers manage these crowds.

Long ago, countries did not have special teams for this. They often called the army to help. This sometimes led to too much violence.

In France, new groups were made to keep order. One group was called the GRM. They learned to use restraint. They tried to avoid fights when possible.

In Shanghai, new methods were also made. Officers there trained in hand-to-hand combat. These skills were later used around the world.

Today, officers wear special gear to stay safe. They use helmets, shields, and masks.

This gear protects them from flying objects. They also use tools that are less-than-lethal. This means the tools aim to stop a riot without causing death. They might use pepper spray, rubber bullets, or water cannons.

These tools help move crowds along. Even with these tools, the work can be very stressful for everyone involved.

Riot control is a way for law enforcement or military groups to manage large crowds. It is used during protests, demonstrations, or riots to disperse people or make arrests. Sometimes, a simple action can stop a crowd from getting out of control. For example, officers might use loud noises or speak in a calm tone to make people stop and think. However, these quiet methods often fail if people are very angry or if the riot was planned. When crowds become hard to manage, security forces must use different tactics to restore order.

To stay safe, officers wear special protective equipment. This gear includes helmets with face visors and thick body armor. They often wear vests, neck protectors, and knee pads to cover all vulnerable spots. Many also use gas masks if they are using chemical agents like tear gas. Officers carry riot shields to protect themselves from objects like bricks or bottles. Some police even use special holsters to make sure their sidearms are not taken by people in the crowd.

In the past, many countries did not have special teams for managing crowds. Governments often called in the regular army when the police could not handle a situation. This often led to very bad results, such as extreme violence. In France, the government eventually created specialized groups like the Mobile Gendarmerie. By 1940, this force had 21,000 members organized into many companies and legions. These groups learned important skills, like how to use restraint and how to give a crowd an "exit door" to leave safely.

New ways of training also appeared in places like Shanghai. In 1925, the first squad trained in modern riot control techniques was formed there. Officers like William E. Fairbairn and Eric Anthony Sykes taught new skills like hand-to-hand combat. These methods were later shared with police forces in the United States and other places. Today, many groups use "less-than-lethal" tools instead of deadly weapons. These tools include pepper spray, rubber bullets, water cannons, and even police dogs.

Even with these tools, riot control can be very difficult for everyone. These confrontations can cause deep stress and fear for both the police and the protesters. This stress can lead to long-term mental health issues like anxiety or PTSD. History shows many times when these events turned violent, such as the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests. More recently, the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests in America were widely seen on social media. These events show how important it is to balance keeping order with protecting people's rights.

Riot control is a specific form of public order policing. It is used by law enforcement, military, or security forces. These groups aim to control, disperse, or arrest people involved in riots, demonstrations, or protests. The goal is to manage large groups of people during times of unrest. Sometimes, simple actions can stop a crowd. For example, issuing instructions in a calm tone or making loud noises can cause people to stop and think. However, these methods often fail if a riot is planned or if there is severe anger.

Security forces use different levels of tools to manage crowds. The first choice is between lethal and less-than-lethal weaponry. Lethal weapons include items like a 12-gauge shotgun. Less-than-lethal tools are designed to minimize injuries. These include pepper spray, tear gas, and rubber bullets. Officers may also use electric tasers, batons, or stun grenades. Some groups use specialized hand weapons. These include the African sjambok, a heavy leather whip. They also include the Indian lathi, which is a long cane with a blunt metal tip.

Beyond personal weapons, forces use advanced technology and vehicles. Some units use vehicle-mounted water cannons. These cannons can add dye to mark rioters or tear gas to disperse them. In major unrest, police may use armored fighting vehicles. They might also use aerial surveillance or police dogs. Mounted police on horses are another common method. Some officers use Long Range Acoustic Devices to manage crowds. The choice of equipment depends on the perceived level of threat and local laws. In many countries, using lethal force to control riots is illegal except in extreme cases.

To stay safe, riot control personnel wear extensive protective equipment. This gear is designed to protect the entire body from direct melee or hurled objects like bricks and bottles. Helmets often feature face visors and extend to protect the back of the neck. Officers wear body armor, including vests, neck protectors, and knee pads. If chemical agents are used, they wear gas masks. Some officers use holsters with positive locking mechanisms. This prevents people in a crowd from stealing a sidearm. However, these locks can make it harder to draw a weapon in an emergency.

History shows that managing crowds has always been a challenge for governments. Before the 20th century, most countries lacked dedicated riot forces. Governments often called in the regular army when police were inadequate. This often led to disastrous results, including excessive violence. In France, the National Gendarmerie created specialized mobile forces during the 19th century. In 1921, they created "Mobile Gendarmerie platoons." By 1926, these became the Garde Républicaine mobile (GRM). By 1940, the GRM had 21,000 members. They developed doctrines like exercising restraint and providing an "exit door" for crowds.

Modern policing techniques also have roots in early 20th-century Asia. In 1925, the first squad trained in modern riot control techniques formed in colonial Shanghai. This was a response to the May Thirtieth Movement. Officers William E. Fairbairn and Eric Anthony Sykes pioneered new methods. They taught combat pistol shooting, hand-to-hand combat, and knife fighting. These skills were later used by the Shanghai Municipal Police "Reserve Unit." Fairbairn eventually taught these methods in the United States and other regions. These techniques have since been adapted by many international police forces.

Despite the use of less-than-lethal tools, these events can be very serious. Confrontations can cause significant psychological effects. Both rioters and police may experience intense fear and stress. This can lead to long-term issues like anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). History includes many violent instances, such as the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests. More recently, the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests were widely documented on social media. In Peru, protests between 2022 and 2023 resulted in at least sixty deaths. These events show the complex link between public order and human rights.