Engaging Protestors: A Smarter Way for Policing Demonstrations
| DOI | 10.1350/pojo.2011.84.1.497 |
| Date | 01 March 2011 |
| Author | James Gravelle,Colin Rogers |
| Published date | 01 March 2011 |
| Subject Matter | Article |
JAMES GRAVELLE
Centre for Police Sciences, at the University of Glamorgan
COLIN ROGERS
Centre for Police Sciences, at the University of Glamorgan
ENGAGING PROTESTORS: A
SMARTER WAY FOR POLICING
DEMONSTRATIONS
This article examines the application of Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR) within the police service in England and
Wales in the light of the recent global demonstrations wit-
nessed through events such as the G20. Following a recent
published report from the HMIC, the police need to remain
innovative in their approach to dealing with public protests.
The article clearly illustrates the associated advantages of
utilising CSR whilst arguing that such use would increase
public confidence and provide greater resonance in attempts by
the police to engage with their communities. The historical
context and traditional responses are evaluated and the article
concludes with the premise that whilst not being a panacea for
resolving each of the difficulties in providing a specialist
police service, CSR offers a real and robust option that needs
to be carefully considered.
Keywords: Corporate social responsibility (CSR); ethics;
policing by consent; protests; public order
Introduction
The recent publication by her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of
Constabulary into the policing of protest in Britain (HMIC,
2009) has once again focused on the way in which the police
perform their duties at public protest demonstrations, particularly
in the light of the recent G20 and other similar-style demonstra-
tions in London and elsewhere. Included in the list of recom-
mendations within this report is the adoption of a ‘no surprise’
communication philosophy with protesters, the wider public and
the media. The report continues to say that the public should be
made aware of likely police action in order to make informed
choices and decisions. In addition, it is argued, the police should
engage in positive media and image activity that ensures support
for their actions, which should be ethical and proportionate in the
circumstances. This article will consider one approach, that of
The Police Journal, Volume 84 (2011) 5
DOI: 10.1358/pojo.2011.84.1.497
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