Public Order Policing 2.0: Addressing the Challenges of the Information Age

The chapter ‘Public Order Policing 2.0: Addressing the Challenges of the Information Age’ delves into the complexities of modern public order policing, particularly the role of the information age in exacerbating these challenges. It discusses the strong correlation between public order policing and protests, highlighting the need for police to understand the underlying nature of protests beyond physical disorder. The text also explores the use of violence and criminal tactics by protesters, emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between legitimate political agendas and those that employ criminal action. The chapter provides a detailed analysis of the major challenges faced by public order policing in the United States, including the global pandemic, racial justice movements, and the 2020 presidential election. It examines the role of the information age in spreading misinformation and disinformation, and how this impacts public order policing. The text also discusses the strategic implications of the information age on police legitimacy and the need for public order policing to adapt to these new challenges. It offers insights into the tactics and techniques used by protesters in the information age, including the use of social media and virtual affinity groups. The chapter concludes by emphasizing the need for public order policing to evolve and adapt to the complex and interconnected challenges of the information age.