Baton charge: Difference between revisions
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A '''Baton charge''' is a coordinated tactic for dispersing violent crowds of people, usually employed by [[police]] or [[military]] during [[Riot control|public order situations]]. In certain countries, police are not authorised to use the tactic unless no other means can be practiced. |
A '''Baton charge''' is a coordinated tactic for dispersing violent crowds of people, usually employed by [[police]] or [[military]] during [[Riot control|public order situations]]. In certain countries, police are not authorised to use the tactic unless no other means can be practiced. |
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The tactic involves [[police officers]] charing at a crowd of people with [[Baton (law enforcement)|batons]] and in some cases, [[ |
The tactic involves [[police officers]] charing at a crowd of people with [[Baton (law enforcement)|batons]] and in some cases, [[riot shield]]. They run at the crowd hitting pre-designated targets with their batons, and in some situations use riotshields to push them away. Baton charging is designed to cause the maximum amount of [[Pain compliance|pain]], in the hope that they would be compelled to move away from the scene, dispersing the crowd. |
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As a general practice, police often only employ the tactic on violent groups of people. In most cases, police would strike either the arms or legs, avoiding the head and vital organs unless the offender presented and immediate threat to life, justifying the strike. Usually, those struck during the charge are allowed to escape to prevent series injury, and are not pursued while being hit. |
As a general practice, police often only employ the tactic on violent groups of people. In most cases, police would strike either the arms or legs, avoiding the head and vital organs unless the offender presented and immediate threat to life, justifying the strike. Usually, those struck during the charge are allowed to escape to prevent series injury, and are not pursued while being hit. |
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Revision as of 15:27, 10 June 2010
A Baton charge is a coordinated tactic for dispersing violent crowds of people, usually employed by police or military during public order situations. In certain countries, police are not authorised to use the tactic unless no other means can be practiced.
The tactic involves police officers charing at a crowd of people with batons and in some cases, riot shield. They run at the crowd hitting pre-designated targets with their batons, and in some situations use riotshields to push them away. Baton charging is designed to cause the maximum amount of pain, in the hope that they would be compelled to move away from the scene, dispersing the crowd.
As a general practice, police often only employ the tactic on violent groups of people. In most cases, police would strike either the arms or legs, avoiding the head and vital organs unless the offender presented and immediate threat to life, justifying the strike. Usually, those struck during the charge are allowed to escape to prevent series injury, and are not pursued while being hit.
India
In India, a baton would often be referred to as a lathi. Some Indian police forces use lathis around 5 ft long, but in other places lathis are shorter. The term "lathi charge" is used by the Indian media more commonly than "baton charge". The lathi drill is taught to all Indian police recruits. The tactic is controversial among human rights campaigners due to the violence involved.
See also
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