Successful outcomes that follow civil disturbance situations are based on proper planning, Soldier and equipment employment, and on-the-ground decisions that are made by leaders and members of the control force who are face-to-face with an unruly, or potentially unruly, crowd. ATP 3-39.33 discusses and describes the techniques that are used by Army forces who are conducting civil deterrence or response missions to civil disturbances.
In the past century, there have been countless examples of civil disturbance situations around the world. The size and scope of these civil disturbances varied from small gatherings of people who were verbally protesting to full-blown riots that resulted in property destruction and violence against others. Over the past decade, law enforcement and professional experts have come to understand crowd dynamics. A better understanding of human behavior and crowd dynamics and technological advancement has led to improved responses to crowd control.
This publication covers a wide array of information that concerns civil disturbances along with the techniques that are used to quell or disperse those who are causing the disturbance. This publication discusses crowd dynamics and human behaviors, crowd types, control force basic equipment requirements, and control force formations. This publication also discusses planning requirements and recommendations
and the legalities that are involved with civil disturbances and control forces.
This publication builds on the collective knowledge and wisdom that was gained through recent operations, numerous lessons learned, studies, and the deliberate process of informed reasoning throughout the Army. It is rooted in time-tested principles and fundamentals, while accommodating new technologies, human behavior, and organizational changes.
There are several changes from the 2005 version of this publication. These changes include the removal of chapter 3, chapter 5, and chapter 8 from the 2005 version. Due to doctrine content parameters and Doctrine 2015 guidelines, information on specific pieces of equipment and training has been removed.
The following is a brief introduction and summary of the chapters an appendixes in this publication: Chapter 1. Chapter 1 discusses the operational threats in a civil disturbance environment that leaders must understand to effectively combat them. This chapter also includes discussion on civil unrest, crowd dynamics and behavior, and tactics that are used within the various crowd types. Chapter 2. Chapter 2 addresses planning considerations and tactics that should be used by military units to employ the control force. Areas discussed include graduated response, nonlethal weapons (NLW), and legal considerations. Chapter 3. Chapter 3 provides recommendations for equipment types and techniques. This chapter focuses on the two primary pieces of equipment for a control force—the riot baton and riot shield. Additional protective equipment is also discussed, including how members of the control force work as a team while using the equipment. Chapter 4. Chapter 4 focuses on the control force and the different formations that can be utilized for crowd management. This chapter discusses the actions of the control force at different mission phases. Chapter 5. Chapter 5 addresses civil disturbances within confinement facilities and discusses crowd dynamics in the facility, planning considerations, and control force formations. This chapter also identifies specialized teams within a confinement facility and their purpose. Appendix A. Appendix A is a metric conversion chart. Appendix B. Appendix B applies the information given in this publication to a generic situation. The foundations of civil disturbance operations that are provided in this manual support the actions and decisions of combatant commanders, staffs, and leaders at all levels. This publication is not meant to be a substitute for thought and initiative among leaders and Soldiers. No matter how robust the doctrine or how advanced the capabilities and systems, it is the Soldier who must understand the operational environment, recognize shortfalls, and adapt to the situation on the ground.
This publication is a military police doctrinal publication; however, it is geared toward any unit that may be tasked to respond to civil disturbances. Therefore, the diagrams used in this ATP (specifically those in chapter 4 that depict control force formations) are generic in nature. The formations can easily be modified to suit multiple-size squads, platoons, and companies. It is ultimately the decision of the commander on the ground as to how they will incorporate their units and Soldiers into formations