ical because there is always a chance that rival political parties
might clash.
Many international donor countries go into developing coun-
tries and simply begin training police in public order manage-
ment tactics, such as different formations to use in different
situations and when to use tear gas or pepper spray, etc. This,
however, is akin to buying chandeliers for a mansion before its
foundation is built. The foundation in this case is a use of force
(UoF) policy. The UoF policy will then be at the core a POM
plan and it must reflect the vision, mission, and goals of police
departments. Most importantly, it should be vetted with mem-
bers of the public and once adopted, there should be extensive
education on the UoF policy for both police and the public.
ICITAP has extensive experience working with host country
law enforcement organizations to develop UoF policies and
POM plans and to present POM training for command officers
that emphasizes table top planning exercises, the development
of POM plans as policy, and the establishment of command
posts near demonstration sites. ICITAP has also provided
significant training for line-level officers and first-line supervi-
sors that emphasizes defensive tactics, proper arrest techniques,
proper use of the baton, how to maintain line integrity with
shields, how to rescue injured demonstrators and police from
crowds, and human rights.
A POM plan provides an institutional framework that empha-
sizes respect for human rights and dignity and serves as the basis
upon which all POM training for entry-level, line supervisors,
mid-level managers, and senior commanders is based. In order
for a POM plan to be effective, it must contain police use of
force and force options policies that stress respect for human
rights and dignity. These policies should be nested in a police
department’s values system. Police must exercise different force
options depending upon the situations they face. Force respons-
es range from mere police presence, to verbal commands, empty
hand control, less lethal force such as the use of batons and
pepper spray/tear gas, and ultimately, to deadly force.
A POM plan should describe the important role that police
liaison officers play in terms of coordinating and communi-
cating with demonstrators and rival groups/political parties in
planned demonstrations. This approach will reduce the chances
that demonstrations will devolve into violence. A POM plan
must also make provisions for coordination between police,
courts, and prisons to ensure that the criminal justice system can
deal efficiently and effectively with demonstrators who incite
violence. This is a critical function of a POM plan, and scenario
training reinforces this coordination. There also needs to be a
robust civic education element that explains to citizens and civil
society groups how criminal justice actors should perform their
duties in terms of providing public order management and the
processing of alleged offenders. If citizens understand what their
Promoting Human Rights and Dignity Through
Good Public Order Management
Technical
Assistance to
Government
Leaders
Build
Accountable
Government
Systems
Empower Civil
Society—
Civic
Education
Use of Force
Policy
Improved
Respect for
Human
Rights and
Dignity
Public Order
Management
Plan
Tactical
Training
9