July’s Police Chief magazine issue is dedicated to the timely and relevant topic of crowd management, taking an in-depth look at response, tactics, and safety of officers, event participants, and bystanders.

The articles in this edition hail from two different countries, and I am certain that others beyond the United States and Canada could easily have contributed their experiences with, and understanding of the incredibly challenging environment created when large crowds gather. Likewise, the lessons and recommendations presented here are valuable to our members and fellow law enforcement professionals around the globe.

People congregating to express their beliefs and ideas is a cornerstone of the social contract between citizens and the government.

In many countries, people congregating to express their beliefs and ideas is a cornerstone of the social contract between citizens and the government. Here in the United States, it is a freedom closely guarded by our Constitution and a mechanism through which much social change has been generated century after century. Unfortunately, law enforcement in almost every IACP-member country is no stranger to being placed in the position of seeming opposition during peaceful mass gatherings, even if that role is not desired—and in the unenviable position of controlling those gatherings that turn violent—as the past 14 months have very clearly shown.

When law enforcement responds to mass gathering events, responding officers and supervisors are expected to provide a safe environment for those peacefully expressing themselves, while simultaneously preventing violence caused by disruptive actors or elements. In addressing these challenges, the many topics covered in this edition are key: preparation before an event; training and use of the Incident Command System; established community partnerships and relationships; crisis communication plans; and developing connections, contacts, and plans with the event organizers before the event. Each of these areas plays an important role in helping agencies work through mass gatherings peacefully, beneficially, and safely for all.

For the first responding officer, supervisor on scene, or identified Incident Commander, one piece is foundational to success: understanding the Constitution, case law, and applicable local regulations that govern the exercise of free speech—and under what circumstances law enforcement can or must curtail the actions of a crowd. While this sounds easy, understanding how a seemingly myriad set of regulations interact with each other deserves attention. In the United States, the First Amendment must be understood through the consideration of pertinent case law (e.g., Pruneyard Shopping Center v. Robins, 447 U.S. 74), and this understanding can be complicated, at times. Additionally, while the understanding lives in a classroom environment, the subsequent application of that understanding during a live and dynamic situation is where a protest can turn into a critical incident. It is in this space that all law enforcement executives rely on the understanding, application, and actions taken by their front-line supervisors or incident commander leading the event.

With that said, I ask everyone this question: When was the last time your front-line supervisors were afforded training geared at understanding how to apply all laws that govern free speech and mass gatherings? In the last 14 months, I feel fairly certain that everyone has refocused on Incident Command System training, Mobile Field Force construction, equipment and use, and crisis communication plans, but I wonder how many have gone back to the very basics of understanding and applying foundational laws that govern free speech, mass gatherings, and law enforcement interaction within that environment.

Recently, the IACP convened a steering committee to look at the overall topic of critical incident response. Composed of law enforcement executives, private sector security leaders, and academics who have spent careers studying crises and crisis management, the committee’s focus is on creating leading practices and training for incident response while tackling the communication means and methods needed to prevent a critical incident from becoming a lasting crisis. Inevitably, the conversation in their first meeting turned to events of the past 14 months. One leader in the room made the thoughtful comment that there is a difference between how law enforcement responds to a mass gathering or protest about a topic and how law enforcement should respond to being the topic of that mass gathering or protest. This is a subtle, though powerful, differentiation, and one that deserves attention as we consider response, tactics, and the safety of our officers and our communities during mass gathering events.

I am certain readers will find this edition and the articles within it to be resources they refer to time and time again. As we move forward together, we will continue to learn and share information to ensure the best outcomes for all.