Can I get police officers to answer this question?

Question

In the wake of the protests yesterday on Washington DC and other cities, I'm wondering if local and state police involved in those demonstrations may have wanted to take a more active role. As people charged with keeping peace, do you think mediation by law officers may have reduced tensions between pro-war and anti-war proponents?

Answer 1

In some of the larger demonstrations, there are often meetings conducted between protest organizers and the police to arrange for issues regarding path of the march, activities, etc. That way there are no surprises, and everyone knows what is happening. The problem is that RARELY are the protesters subject to one set of organizers' rules and guidelines. The very nature of these groups tends to be decentralized, disorganized, and fiercely independent. Most the constituents in these protests have agendas other than those belonging to the organizers (Anarchists, for instance, don't care too much for ANY formal organization or the police). So, even when the organizers try to keep things peaceful and organized, the event can easily slip away as a result of the actions of a few who are intent to make a protest into a confrontation.

Keep in mind that for most these organizations a violent confrontation means headlines, and headlines means that their radical agenda gets on the news. A peaceful event is a 30-second blurb ... a melee is an in-depth investigation that might go on for days or weeks afterwards - just look at the Seattle WTO riots.

In all, it is hard to meet and organize a protest when there is no umbrella of leadership on the protester side. So, meeting with the protesters often does little good. But, in my opinion, it should be attempted in most instances.

- Carl

Answer 2

Everyone has opinions; however, as a professional law enforcement officer it is not ethical for him or her to participate in either side of a protest. We are supposed to remain above the conflict. It was my experience that one or both sides regarded the police as interfering with their God given right to beat the other side to bloody pulp. Therefore the mediation you suggest would not be fruitful