Dissent and Public Order Notes

Learning Objectives

  • Importance of political dissent in a liberal-democratic society.
  • Historical development of approaches to policing protests.
  • Characteristics of strategic incapacitation compared to alternative approaches.
  • Role of police in society and interests they represent.

Political Dissent and its Importance

  • Public dissent is vital for maintaining liberal-democratic values
  • While used positively to secure human rights, it often faces reprisal even in democracies
  • Risks include surveillance, criminal prosecution, and even death in authoritarian regimes
  • Critical view that liberal-democratic states routinely criminalize dissent raises questions of legitimacy.

Historical Context of Policing Protest

  • Development from escalated force in the 1960s to a more consultative approach.
  • Escalated force: Confrontational and aggressive policing tactics.
  • Negotiated management: Emphasis on dialogue and cooperation between police and protesters.
    • Protesters desired a role in the protest management process, advocating for professionalism in protests.

Transition to Strategic Incapacitation

  • Strategic incapacitation: A modern policing approach aimed at dismantling social movements by incapacitating protesters.
    • Tactics include:
    • Establishing no-protest zones.
    • Use of surveillance and intelligence-gathering.
    • Deployment of less-lethal weapons and pre-emptive arrests.
    • Reassessing the process of policing to prioritize risk management.

Criminalization of Dissent

  • The state may criminalize political actions, using terms such as "criminalizing the political" and applying anti-terrorism laws excessively.
  • Policing strategies now include:
    • Surveillance of dissenters and activists.
    • Infiltration of movements by government agents.
  • Historical movements such as civil rights and environmental activism have faced labeling by authorities as deviant.

The Role of Police and Community Dynamics

  • Understanding police actions requires examining whose interests are being served.
  • Critical criminology views policing as a mechanism for reinforcing the dominant economic order, particularly relating to extractive industries.

Project SITKA: Case Study in Policing

  • Project SITKA involved covert surveillance of Indigenous protesters opposing resource development.
    • Focused on tracking individuals based on perceived threats without criminal charges.
    • Demonstrated a shift to preemptive governance measures intended to mitigate risks posed by protests.

Limits of Protest and Civil Liberties

  • Protest actions are legally protected yet often categorized as illegal by law enforcement.
  • This duality gives police significant discretion in differentiating between lawful and unlawful protest activities.
  • Engaging in protests illuminates broader societal issues; however, state responses may serve the few rather than the democratic majority.

Conclusion

  • The policing of dissent reflects broader societal tensions between freedom of expression and the need to maintain public order.
  • Authorities must navigate the complex landscape between managing protests, protecting public safety, and upholding democratic principles.