HMIC calls for better training to tackle public disorder

Police officers must be better prepared and trained if they are to improve their response to future incidents of widespread disorder seen in the August riots, while clear rules must be set for the use of water cannons and plastic bullets, a report concluded.

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) published its report – The rules of engagement; A review of the August 2011 disorders – in which it said that police training, tactics, equipment and organisation had been largely developed to deal with set-piece, single site confrontations between police and protestors and as such were not well prepared for widespread, fast-moving riots.

The review added that in some cases during the riots, officers could lawfully have shot arsonists and that water canon and plastic bullets could have been used in a “number of real scenarios”.

Inspectors said water cannon and plastic bullets could be considered to stop “violent attacks on the public” and also where fire and ambulance crews were under threat. It added that the use of water cannons were an effective means of dispersal and incur fewer injuries to the public in static and slow-moving scenarios.

HMIC also found that a faster police response may be possible through more integrated local, regional and national processes and practice. Inspectors added that officers must be fully trained and able to switch from roles that require largely individual action and initiative to disciplined and co-ordinated collective public order actions.

Other key issues highlighted in the review include:

•Community engagement is always the first and most effective police tactic when it comes to preventing disorder – this tactic had “faltered” following the police shooting of Mark Duggan in Tottenham which sparked the riots;

•It is likely that this pattern of criminality will be seen again and the police response must be developed;

•The police use of social media fell short of what is possible using modern technology;

•Even if police improve the speed of their mobilisation, there will always be a delay in reaching the scene in significant numbers. In extreme circumstances, where life is threatened and police numbers alone are not sufficient, police commanders must be equipped to respond with extraordinary measures; and

•There needs to be a public debate as to where and when police tactics involving protected vehicles, water cannon and attenuating energy projectiles (plastic bullets) are acceptable.

Sir Denis O’Connor, HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary, said: “An overwhelming majority (83 per cent) of respondents to our survey thought police action helped to bring the riots to an end; but 60 per cent stated that this could have been done more quickly. Half (49 per cent) thought the police did not use enough force and 43 per cent thought that what they did was ‘about right’.”

HMIC has now called on the Government to develop a new national framework setting out clear expectations around the importance of early resolution of disorder; details of the planning required to ensure forces are prepared for national disorders; and the circumstances in which a range of tactics can be considered.

However, to develop such a framework, HMIC said there would need to be a mature debate between those charged with the governance of the police, the Home Office and chief police officers about the relative priority attached to maintaining civil order compared to other policing demands.

“Rules of Engagement should be part of a new national framework for resolving public disorder that sets out clear expectations around the early resolution of disorder and details of the planning required to ensure forces are prepared for national disorders,” concluded Sir Denis.

HMIC said the new framework will be supported through a number of methods including:

•Decisive resolution of police and IPCC communication arrangements to be used in the event of deaths attributable to the police;