Policing the Public Square in the Digital Age: More Than Just Crowd Control
The complexities of public order policing in the digital age present a wide breadth of challenges to police agencies, regardless of size or region of the country. Social media and widespread information sharing pose both new opportunities and challenges for the police. Traditionally, public order policing focused on managing physical crowds at protests and events. However, the information landscape has fundamentally changed how protests unfold and how authorities need to respond.
The Rise of Misinformation: The rapid spread of false information online creates a breeding ground for misunderstandings and mistrust. Fabricated stories about police actions or protest motivations can quickly go viral, inflaming tensions and making it difficult to establish a shared understanding of events. This can lead to both protestors and officers acting on incomplete or inaccurate information, potentially escalating situations.
Empowered Protest Movements: Social media platforms have become powerful tools for protest groups. They can use these platforms to disseminate tactics and strategies quickly and efficiently, leading to more organized and potentially more disruptive demonstrations. Law enforcement needs to adapt their strategies to anticipate and counter these tactics, while still upholding the right to peaceful assembly.
The Battle for Public Trust: The ability to broadcast events live and unfiltered has significantly impacted public perception. Negative social media portrayals of police actions, even if unverified or exaggerated, can have a lasting effect, eroding public trust and cooperation. Law enforcement needs to find ways to leverage social media to communicate effectively with the public, providing accurate information and fostering a sense of transparency.
FPI Fellow Ryan Lee is an expert in public order policing. As a veteran of many, many protests he managed or witnessed in Portland, OR he is perfectly positioned to understand the future nature of maintaining the public order in large venues or during demonstrations and protests. In the book Public Order Policing: A Professional's Guide to International Theories, Case Studies, and Best Practices, he authored a chapter entitled Public Order Policing 2.0: Addressing the Challenges of the Information Age. In his writings, he argues that in the future, policing must adapt to the evolving nature of maintaining public order in our rapidly evolving and technology-centric world. The police must develop robust strategies for:
Combating Misinformation: Partnering with fact-checkers and using social media to debunk false narratives before they spread.
Understanding Online Activism: Monitoring online spaces to anticipate protest tactics and identify potential leaders.
Building Public Trust: Engaging with the public on social media, providing clear and accurate information, and fostering open communication.
By acknowledging these challenges and adapting their approach, law enforcement can navigate the complexities of public order policing in the information age.
Click here to read Chief Lee’s article on Public Order Policing in the Information Age.