Crowd psychology, public order police training and the policing of football crowds

摘要

Purpose - This study seeks to examine what theory of crowd psychology is being applied withinrnpublic order police training in England and Wales and what accounts of crowds, police strategies andrntactics subsequently emerge among officers who undertake this training.rnDesign/methodology/approach - The study uses a multi-method approach includingrnobservations of public order training courses, interviews with students and instructors, and therndissemination of questionnaires.rnFindings - The analysis suggests that a form of crowd theory associated with the work of GustavernLe Bon has become institutionalised within police training. This in turn is leading to a potentiallyrncounter-productive reliance on the undifferentiated use of force when policing crowds.rnPractical implications - The study illustrates that such training outcomes not only are counter tornthe recent developments in evidence, theory and policy but also undermine the police's ability torndevelop more efficient and effective approaches to policing crowds.rnOriginality/value - The study provides a systematic review of public order training whichrndemonstrates how crowd theory is used as a rationale and justification for the use of tactics based onrnundifferentiated force. It makes suggestions for improving police training so that updates in policy andrntheory can be translated into operational practice.