DEFINITIONS:

Crowd. A concentration of people whose presence or anticipated behaviour is such that it requires preventative measures for the maintenance of order.

Demonstration. A crowd that is exhibiting sympathy for authority, or vocalizing or gathering against some political, economic or social condition.

Riot. A breach of the peace committed in violence by multiple persons to further a common purpose by executing some enterprise by concerted action against anyone who may oppose them.

Disaster. A disaster means any extreme or catastrophic condition which imperils or results in loss of life and/or property.

Thinking that you may become involved in a crowd control situation is an unpleasant thought but one for which a Security Guard must prepare. Normally, a person may find it hard to believe that they might become directly involved in the control of rioting. Yet if such rioting, vandalism or looting were to spill into an area or onto property for which a guard was responsible, then he/she most certainly would become involved. Or take another example, if the plant or building to which a guard was were assigned became the subject of a strike or demonstration, the violence and unruly crowds, which so often mark these events, could become a menacing reality.

Do not consider that a solitary Security Guard or even a dozen would or could substantially change the course of a full-scale riot. However, it is possible to deal with these situations on equal and non-lethal terms during that period of time prior to any riot, so long as they are confined to non-violent activities. It is quite possible that security, given some training, could meet a pre-riot situation with considerable effectiveness and be able to disperse an unruly crowd. It is very easy to say, “Keep your head and remain strictly neutral”.

Unfortunately it is harder for anyone to actually do, especially under the nerve shredding stress of a mob situation. Yet it must be done. Remember, it is the role of security to safeguard that property, equipment or information. Every act that security performs must be strictly legal, no matter what is going on around you.

Security Guards may not be able to do more than pick out leaders, or make enough mental notes to enable a guard to swear to the identification of an offender in court. If that is all the guard can do, and they are able to do it, they have done their job well.

PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS

In addition to the factors that cause crowds to form and turn peaceful groups into disorderly mobs, it is important that persons dealing with crowds understand that a small crowd often attracts a great many initially disinterested people thereby rapidly increasing its size. This snowballing effect is caused by certain psychological factors:

1. Security. Certain individuals may be attracted to a crowd due to the feeling of security and safety it provides while associating with large numbers. This situation is most likely to arise during periods of civil unrest where large gangs are roaming the streets, looting and threatening the safety and peaceful existence of the citizens, who become fearful for their well-being and join the gang for the security it may afford them.

2. Suggestion. Persons joining a crowd tend to accept the ideas of a dominant member without realization or conscious objection. If the dominant member is sufficiently forceful with their words and ideas, they are able to sway the good judgment and common sense reasoning of those about them. There is a tendency to accept even the wildest of ideas, thus transforming the susceptible into unthinking followers.

3. Novelty. An individual may join a crowd as a welcome break in their normal routine, and through persuasion and suggestion react enthusiastically to what they consider proper form under these new circumstances.

4. Loss of identity. Similar to the “security” factor. The individual tends to lose self-consciousness and identity in a crowd. Consequently, they may feel safe and feel they will be neither detected nor punished for any wrongdoing they may take part in.

5. Release of emotions. The prejudices and unsatisfied desires of the individual that are normally held in restraint may be released in an emotional crowd. This temporary release of emotions is strong incentive for an individual to participate in the activities of the crowd. It provides the opportunity to do things he/she was inwardly desirous of doing, but did not dare.

TYPES OF CROWDS

The behaviour of crowds varies widely depending on its motivating interest. Crowds are classified in accordance with their behaviour patterns, and it is essential that any security measures are based on recognition and understanding of the type of crowd that must be dealt with. The following outline is representative of most of the crowd types that might be encountered in this country:

1. Acquisitive. The members of an acquisitive crowd are motivated by the desire to get or “acquire” something. It is best illustrated by a crowd of shoppers seeking items in short supply or at an auction sale. They have no leaders, little in common, and each member is concerned with his or her own interest.

2. Expressive. In this type of crowd the members gather to express their feelings such as at a convention or political rally. The expressive crowd is usually well behaved. However, officials may condone demonstrations, because when they are thwarted or restrained, resentment occurs and their otherwise cheerful enthusiasm may be replaced by hostility.

3. Spectator. This crowd gathers to watch out of interest, curiosity, instruction or entertainment. It is invariably well-behaved and good-natured initially, but since spectator sporting events, parades, etc. tend to stir emotions rapidly, this type of crowd can quickly become unruly and violent.

4. Sightseer. This type of crowd gathers almost spontaneously at the scene of a fire, accident or disaster. The members are all curious. Most will be co-operative and willing to assist. They are equally willing to stand and stare, vacant-eyed at whatever tragedy has occurred. In most instances when they try to help, they are inclined to be overzealous and interfere with professional operations.

5. Hostile. Crowds of this nature are generally motivated by feelings of hate and fear to the extent they are prepared to fight for what they want. The most prominent types are strikers, political demonstrations, and hoodlums or rival mobs. Hostile crowds may have leaders who direct and maintain a high degree of hostility in their followers, but this type of crowd does not always need any particular leaders if all the participants are equally inflamed over the issue.

It can be a “seedbed” for “mob” action, when the more forceful persons who assume leadership arouse it. It may also be triggered into violence by the undesirable actions of individual protective personnel. Aroused crowds will often vent their resentment and hostility on those assigned to maintain order. Some individuals may try to bait Security

Guards into committing errors of judgment or displays of unnecessary force in order to discredit authorities or to further incite crowd members to commit acts of unlawfulness, or to oppose efforts in regaining control. Such crowd actions are usually directed toward one or two individual guards in the nature of taunts, curses and minor annoyances. Verbal abuses must be ignored no matter how aggravating they may become. On the other hand, immediate action must be taken to address those who assault, throw rocks or attempt in any way to interfere with protective units.

In controlling a hostile crowd, sufficient manpower is basic to your success. If it appears that a peaceful demonstration or other large crowd gathering is showing hostile tendencies, do not hesitate to report and call for immediate assistance. This does not, however, mean you may or should resort to the use of unnecessary force. Such action is never justified.  Potentially dangerous crowds can usually be controlled by the following methods:

1. Remove or isolate individuals involved in precipitating an incident, before the crowd can achieve unity of purpose. This may cause temporary resentment in a very small portion of the crowd members. It is important therefore, to immediately remove the subject(s) from the area. Elimination of the cause of irritation will prevent an ugly incident. Remember that the injudicious use of force can well defeat your purpose and turn the entire crowd against you.

2. Fragment the crowd into small isolated groups. The police often arrive at the scene of an accident or hastily conceived demonstration after a crowd has assembled and achieved a degree of unity. The close contact of the crowd members and the emotion of the situation causes the individuals in the crowd to become group influenced and directed. Individual controls disappear and each person is swayed by the mood and feelings of the crowd. This collective excitement is communicated to each member of the group in what is known as the “milling process”.

The presence of an adequate force to disperse the crowd and break it into small isolated groups before it becomes hysterical and aggressive, is an effective method of coping with the “milling process”.

It is necessary for security to make a show of force, which does not necessarily mean the use of force. The mere presence of an adequate number of well-disciplined and well trained individuals, apparently prepared to deal with the situation often suffices.

3. Remove the crowd leaders. The most excited and vocal members of a crowd establish themselves as the informal leaders. Removing or isolating the agitators contributes greatly to eventual crowd dispersal.

Isolating the more boisterous individuals should only be attempted if sufficient manpower is available. A crowd is not impressed with inadequate manpower and violence may result.  Individual heroics are not only foolhardy, but dangerous as well.

4. Divert the attention of the crowd. The use of a public address system on the fringes of a crowd urging the people to “break up and go home” may be a successful crowd dispersal tactic. Amplifying the authoritative tone of the command attracts the attention of individuals in the crowd and breaks the spell cast by the more excited crowd members.

5. A crowd that grows in hostility and defies orders to disperse can also be controlled by forcing the individuals to focus attention on themselves rather than the objectives of the group. Instead of making a direct assault on the crowd, a series of random arrests is made of individuals situated on the edge of a crowd. The crowd will soon recognize that a greater number of persons are being arrested. But the fact that arrests are threatened by haphazard selection causes them to fear for their safety and a spontaneous dispersal results.

6. Use of a recognized leader is an effective method of counteracting the developing leadership in a crowd by using someone having greater appeal to the crowd. A trusted labour leader, a member of the clergy, a well known sports figure or a well-known civil rights leader can often successfully plead for order and reason.

Depending on the origin and cause of the crowd formation an appropriate public figure or official may greatly assist in calming the excitement and emotions of the crowd.

7. Try to prevent panic from developing in a crowd. Panic is caused by fear and is most often found in the “escape” crowd fleeing from disaster or the threat of disaster or violence. The primary cause of panic is blockage of the escape route. Directing actions should aim at providing an escape route, and at the same time divide the crowd into smaller groups, if possible. The following control techniques might be implemented:

• Display a helpful, calm and confident attitude. Loudspeakers should be used to give directions and helpful information;
• Use rational members of the crowd to assist in calming or isolating hysterical persons;
• Provide first-aid and medical attention to the injured and weak, particularly the elderly and children;
• Use security to block off routes to channel movement in the desired direction. Care must be taken to ensure that the police and security forces do not panic a crowd by hasty action, arrogance or thoughtlessness.

8. An escape crowd is one that is attempting to flee from something it fears. It is without a leader and completely disorganized, but it is homogenous in that each person is motivated by the same desire, which is to escape. Once an escape crowd reaches safety, it will lose its homogeneity and its members must then be handled as individuals. The greatest amount of danger involved in handling a crowd of this type is encountered during the period when blind panic is rampant during the stage when the crowd is on the move.

SECURITY AND DEMONSTRATIONS

Security organizations assigned to supervise demonstrations have a twofold responsibility. Regardless of individual convictions, they must protect the peaceful demonstrators who are exercising their right to protest. Spectators not in sympathy with the demonstration constitute a potential threat of violence. This is often aggravated by counter demonstration, whether they are organized or spontaneous.

Control Forces must also protect the general public from demonstrators who infringe upon the rights of others. The more common problems occur when demonstrators engage in “sit ins”, etc. and violate property rights of others.

FORMATION OF A MOB

A crowd or demonstration will deteriorate into a mob if it has been preconditioned by irritating events, aroused by rumours and inflamed by professional agitators, who appeal to emotional levels rather than to reason. Hostility prevails, unity replaces confusion and disorganization. The early frustrations engendered by agitation and rumour require a climactic incident to unleash the mob. It may come about for any number of reasons. The apparent weakening of the strength and attitudes of security groups assigned to preserve the peace may often influence it.

RESPONSIBILITY AND BEHAVIOUR OF PROTECTIVE GROUPS

Protection must extend to all people. This means fair and equal treatment to all. Observe a position of neutrality and grant no special privileges. Act with firmness but not belligerence or unreasonable force. After an order is given, it must be enforced for the preservation of the public peace and for carrying out the traditional mission of protecting life and property of citizens and to assure the basic rights of all people.

If you observe a hostile crowd gathering, never hesitate to request assistance. In these instances it is definitely safer to overstate the number needed to restore order than to attempt to act alone or underestimate your requirements. A show of strength not only has a restraining effect on the crowd, but it will also provide the necessary manpower.

Order must be established. Approaching the more vocal individuals in a crowd is an effective method of dealing with a group. When addressing these persons, be firm and carefully phrase your commands. Do not become involved in an argument. Use simple language and inform the people of the violations they are or may be committing. Request that the violations stop and that the group disperse. Allow the crowd the opportunity to withdraw peacefully without interference. If the throng defies authority and the apparent leaders make no efforts to disperse the crowd, arrests should be made, or police assistance sought.

Whenever you are dealing with an excited or hostile crowd, remember that it is potentially dangerous and may require only a slight incident to turn it into a mob. Your example and your ability to maintain order are the best deterrents to mob action.

HOW DO I DEAL WITH THE MEDIA?

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms says that everyone in Canada is guaranteed “freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication.” This is often referred to as “freedom of the press” and it means the media, who are part of a democratic society, are allowed to say what they think without being punished.

The media may be very interested in talking to you if you are guarding a site where something interesting has taken place, like an accident, a crime, a visiting celebrity, a labour strike, etc. It is your job to protect the people and information at your site. It is not part of your job to speak for the company.

Check your post orders to see if they name a Public Relations person as a contact. This is the person who is authorized to give interviews or press releases to the media. If a Public Relations person is not named:

• refer the media to a site manager or your employer;
• do not make any statements or give your personal views, even if they tell you it is “off the record”;
• do not fall back on the “no comment” answer, as that can be used against you.