THE APPLICATION OF ACTIVE PROTECTION TECHNOLOGIES TO MITIGATE PUBLIC ORDER CHALLENGES

Presenter: Mr. Cobus van der MerweSaab

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Disorder Takes Many Forms

In All Cases the Basic Challenge is Stopping Potential for Violence

Objective: Successful Conflict Resolution with Minimum Collateral Damage

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Factors contributing to Violent Public Disorder

• Causes out of Police domain – i.e. Police not in a position to rectify the source of the problem but needs to create time & space for other agencies to do so.

• Police/Security Personnel thus not seen as Protector but as the face of the opponent & thus a legitimate target

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Factors contributing to Violent Public Disorder• Failure to understand specific crowd psychology – different types

of disorder have differences in nature.

• Failure to understand the reasons for the specific event – Treating all public disorder in the same way is a 1-tool approach

Basic Life NeedsSurvival

Safety NeedsSecurity/Stability

Relational NeedsCountry/Family/Work/Love

Esteem NeedsStatus/Responsibility

Self-Actualisation NeedsGrowth/Fulfilment

What w

ill trigger Violence?

Pro

pens

ity

for

Vio

lenc

e

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Factors contributing to Violent Public Disorder• A-type personalities on both sides are pushing the envelope & often

sparks violence (it only needs a single ignition event).

• This is a known fact and the antagonists are exploiting it & use it to manipulate the media.

Pushed it

Lost it

Captured it

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Factors contributing to violent Public Disorder

• Escalators of Violence

• Perceived/Real vulnerability of Protectors – abandon “minimum applicable” force principle out of self-preservation.

• High entry level of countermeasures intensity without simultaneous removal of unrest causes – creates sense of “losing” with rioters and depending upon group, the “need to get even”.

Containment & Mitigation

Less-than-lethal: Ballistic

Less-Than-Lethal: Chemical

Audio-Visual & Physical

Channelise & Negotiate

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Factors contributing to violent Public Disorder

• Escalators of Violence

• Cornering rioters with no avenue of escape or attack after submission creates a survival situation for rioter and raises aggression.

• Perception that law cannot be effectively enforced leads to disproportionate criminality in large groupings or perceived opportunity.

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Factors contributing to violent Public Disorder

• Wrong handling of Public Disorder results in outcomes often only seen in military warfare

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Requirements For Mitigation Of Unrest

• Multi-layered response options

• Joint conflict resolution team driving the operation with real-time intelligence, command & control

• Pre-emptive damage reduction along possible routes:– Movement restriction– Limited evacuation– Fire proofing– High Value Stock/Asset removal

• Ways to ensure due course of law enforcement – Long arm of Law

• Technologies to reduce law enforcement collateral

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Candidate Technologies And Applications

Incident Command & Surveillance System

19 Inch rack

Air Conditioner

Satellite Retractable mast

PTZ Camera

Wireless Network

MCCV

Fire wall

Router

Printer

4xWorkstations Video Control

Wireless link Streamer

IP Switch

MCC Vehicle

Wireless Body Cameras

Limpopo Provincial Government Static Command Centre

Fire wall

VPN ServerVideo Control

RouterWorkstationsPrinter

Video Wall Display

Video Display

Video

C2 Map Display

Video Display

C2 Map Display

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Candidate Technologies And Applications

On Foot Video Solution

1. Shoulder Camera

2. Transmit Antenna

3. Transmitter

4. Battery Cell

5. Specialist Jacket pre configured with wiring loom

The Wireless body worn Video solution comprises of a standard Domo transmitter and battery supply housed in a specially modified jacket containing all the necessary equipment and cabling.

The body worn camera comes in various mounting options and configurations.

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Candidate Technologies And Applications

Petrol Bomb Protection

Safety Tested for Use on Humans by SABS – Can be provided in 1 kg Handheld Format

Fire = Basic Human Fear

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Candidate Technologies And Applications

Petrol Bomb Protection

Comparative Testing With DCP by Somerset West Fire Department

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Candidate Technologies And Applications

Vehicle Access Limitation

• Pepper Spray impregnatedSlippery SurfaceUV Marker

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Candidate Technologies And Applications

Anti-Looting/Anti-Theft Application

• Typically dustbins upended or cars vandalised• Pepper Spray impregnatedStench GeneratorUV Marker

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Candidate Technologies And Applications

Anti-Hijack Installation

• Pepper Spray impregnatedUV Marker

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Candidate Technologies And Applications

Situational Deployment of Countermeasures

• Manual or automated• Various Less-Than-Lethal Options• Different types/calibres can be fitted

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Candidate Technologies And Applications

Robotic Deployment using Vehicle Protection System

Reduce physical risk to Police OfficersDifferent countermeasure options

Envelopment & Surprise

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Candidate Technologies And Applications

Less-Than-Lethal Ammunition Options: GALIX 46

• Protect VehicleDrive off rioters

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Candidate Technologies And Applications

Less-Than-Lethal Ammunition Options: GALIX 19

• Flash-Bang EffectDrive off rioters

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Benefits Of Active Protection Mitigation In The Law Enforcement Chain

• Better protection of Law Enforcers and Public Order Officers specifically against:

– Fire bomb attack – Vehicle losses– Close proximity and risk of injury

• Superior situational awareness keeps force on top of the game.

• Scalable countermeasures

• Enables due process of law by marking of perpetrators

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Conclusion

• A flexible approach is required.

• Public Order Policing is a complex art that requires a high degree of specialisation.

• Each situation is unique and requires detailed understanding of the complexities.

• Mature technologies used in the defence and civil security sectors can mitigate the Public Policing Challenge

Thank You

Questions?