Riot Police Using Ancient Warfare Techniques

[The Dharma Bum]

[eynon81]

[The Dharma Bum]

I think they have taken this thing about as far as it can go

The wheels are falling off so it's just a matter of time.

[The Dharma Bum]

These guys aren't that smart. What they are doing is short sighted mismanagement, don't mistake it for evil genius.

[Professor]

[Professor]

Now, let me temper my statement somewhat. It's often the case that response in-kind will simply escalate the violence. Or, at least, prolong it. There is a very real strategic situation where the police may concede the battle, but win the war. In those cases, the police should pull back and not subject their officers to Molotov-wielding belligerents.

[exploited]

Using lethal weapons sets a very dangerous precedent. They use flamethrowers and the next protest comes armed with guns. It also presents a risk to officers - what happens if they lose their weapon? Finally, as noted, it is an escalation.

It is about dispersing crowds not "winning" battles.

[The Dharma Bum]

[Professor]

BTW, did anyone else get the impression that the video in the OP was staged? Watch the first contact of protesters with police. The police are lined up in a line roughly 100 feet wide, on a street that's easily 200+ feet wide. The protesters then attack, from the front. Yet, they confine themselves only to staying right in front of the police. Not a single person tries to flank the police, which would have been easy. I can't understand why the protesters simply didn't split up and go around.

[exploited]

It could be staged. That said, most protect groups are autonomous. So getting them coordinated is difficult. What you'd need is two dozen trained guys to coordinate the crowd and act as the front lines. You'd need to divide into squadrons and delegate an overseer - while keeping him safe from the snatch squads. Finally you'd need to be able to communicate quickly, meaning you'd have to actually train formations and tactics.

I would have flying wedged the middle front lines, with a small force flanking and a small force throwing Molotov's at the middle and back lines. Break up their formations and have the crowd force them back.