20 Questions
What did the union report state about the equipment provided during the riots?
It was ill-fitting, mismatched, expired, faulty, or only for training purposes
What did the After Action Review (2015) claim about the department’s leadership during the riots?
It was unprepared, uncaring and confused, and politically motivated
What was the primary tactic used by the police during the riot according to the After Action Review (2015)?
"Hold the line" without intervening or engaging the rioters
What were officers told regarding intervention or engagement with the rioters?
They were told not to intervene or engage the rioters
What percentage of BPD officers in 2015 were African American?
42%
What percentage of BPD stops from January 2010 to June 2015 were of African Americans?
84%
What was the percentage of drug arrests for African Americans per 1,000 residents in Baltimore from 2010 to 2012 compared to other comparable cities?
200-500% higher
What did the U.S. Department of Justice conclude about the BPD's actions?
Violated the U.S. Constitution and federal law
What was one of the reasons for Baltimore police being ill-prepared for the 2015 riots?
Budgeting priorities focused on counterterrorism after 9/11 attacks
What was a consequence of the miscommunications during the 2015 riots?
Heightened tensions between the police and the public
What contributed to the shortage of patrol officers during the 2015 riots?
Officers being diverted to form an organized crime division that was never replaced
Why did Baltimore police lack personal protection equipment for mass demonstrations or riots?
Riot gear was a low priority in budgeting
What did an expert feel was lacking during the riot?
More officers for arrests and crowd control
What was a concern raised by the officers during the riot?
Lack of protective equipment such as shields, helmets, and body armor
What did the U.S. Army Civil Disturbance Operations manual recommend for officer formation?
A multi-layered formation including front line, second line, less-lethal weapons teams, and extraction teams
What was a reported issue with the distributed shields?
They were flimsy and ineffective against projectiles
What was Commander Arnold's opinion on the decision-making process during the riots?
The decision-making process was unclear and confusing, with no clear accountability for certain decisions.
What did Commander Arnold say about the police's response to criminal behavior near the stadium district?
The police didn't anticipate criminal behavior and failed to respond properly when it occurred.
According to Commander Arnold, why did some commanders feel they were not supposed to engage rioters?
Due to unclear instructions and conflicting priorities from higher authorities.
What was the key criticism of the Baltimore City Police Department (BPD) in the report by investigators for the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice?
Adopting a 'zero tolerance policy' in the early 2000s.
Study Notes
- On April 27, 2015, students at the Mondawmin Mall in Baltimore began throwing bottles and bricks at the police, which escalated into violence and looting for several hours.
- By 4:30 p.m., the crowd was setting fires and moving downtown, and the police were unable to stop them.
- Police commissioner gave conflicting statements about giving orders to advance or hold the line.
- An expert felt that there should have been more officers present to make arrests and control the crowd.
- Commissioner Batts ordered 215-300 officers to control the crowd, but it was insufficient.
- There were no plans in place to call in extra officers from nearby districts or use less-lethal weapons or extraction teams.
- The U.S. Army Civil Disturbance Operations manual recommends a multi-layered formation of officers, including a front line, a second line, less-lethal weapons teams, and extraction teams.
- During the riot's first 24 hours, the number of officers available was inadequate to implement such a formation.
- Officers complained about a lack of protective equipment, such as shields, helmets, and body armor, which hindered their ability to control the situation.
- Protective equipment was not distributed until two days after the worst rioting had occurred.
- Officers reported that their shields were flimsy, and one officer was injured when a rock penetrated his helmet visor.
- A full protective suit and helmet cost about $800, while a shield cost about $175.
- Officers questioned whether Commissioner Batts had dropped the ball or if it was a budgeting issue.
Test your knowledge about law enforcement response strategies and decision-making processes in challenging situations. Explore different scenarios and analyze the effectiveness of the actions taken by officers and officials.
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