The Maryland-National Capital Region Emergency Response System (MDERS) collaborated with regional partners to plan and execute the inaugural National Executive Forum on Public Order Policing (NEFPOP). This gathering aimed to provide attendees with valuable insights into the complexities of public order policing and to offer departmental leadership crucial guidance on essential techniques and tactics in this field. Global subject matter experts (SMEs) shared their perspectives throughout the three-day event by presenting relevant case studies on public order deployments. The forum excelled in presenting key information to attendees in this ever-important field and highlighted the benefits of regional cooperation among emergency response entities.
Public order policing is defined as “the policing of protestors, campaigners and other large gatherings of people, at events that may be either planned or spontaneous in nature” (Wakefield & Fleming, 2009). The intricate and fast-evolving nature of this field requires continued refinement and training for law enforcement to hone their skills. The layers of challenges these events pose were the impetus for this engaging event, which informed attendees about the appropriate standards in public order policing.
A workgroup of regional partners was established in November 2024 to begin planning for this event. The workgroup had representation from:
- MDERS
- Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments
- Northern Virginia Emergency Response System
- United States Federal Protective Service
- United States Secret Service
- Montgomery County Police Department
- Metropolitan Police Department
- Virginia State Police
Over the course of a year, the workgroup orchestrated and planned every aspect of this event. Meticulous planning and adaptability, particularly in overcoming unforeseen problems such as a last-minute venue change and a prolonged government shutdown, led to a highly successful event.
The forum was held at the National Law Enforcement Museum from November 4th to 6th. Over three days, speakers from across the United States and Europe presented on a wide range of topics related to public order policing. The event was designed to initially share a foundation of essential techniques and gradually expand on core functions, helping attendees grasp the complexities of public order policing. Direct engagement between speakers and attendees created an immersive, educational experience for all participants.
This event underscores the commitment and dedication of strong regional partnerships to enhance first responders’ knowledge in vital response areas. MDERS will continue to leverage these relationships to enhance our stakeholders’ capabilities.
Source
Wakefield, A., & Fleming, J. (2009). Public order. In The SAGE Dictionary of Policing. SAGE Publications. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781446269053