Overview of Crowd Control Theory and Considerations for the Employment of Non-Lethal Weapons

摘要

Many recent coalition operations have involved Operations Other Than War (OOTW). At various stages during these campaigns military forces have been confronted with crowds consisting of non-combatants, often including women and children, sometimes in addition to armed and violent militia. In campaigns such as these, there is a case for the use of non-lethal weapons to complement the existing range of traditional weapons in order to help bridge the gap between responding with lethal force, and not responding at all. Crowd behaviours and characteristics are important factors when considering the deployment of non- lethal weapons. This paper reviews literature on the characteristics of crowds and of the methods and tactics used for crowd control. In addition there is a summary of the range of non-lethal weapons currently available and under development.