Law enforcement during a crisis requires proper coordination and implementation of policies already in place. In some cases, new policies have to be formulated and implemented. The policymaking process is dependent on the laws of a country, the needs of the people as well as what the policies aimed at achieving. As the primary leader in charge of law enforcement for the DRNC convention and working closely with other teams m role would entail giving recommendations to other experts on what I think should be done to handle the situation. My recommendations would be based on information collected from reports as well as first-hand information from the way things are at the ground level. Handling protests requires the cooperation and coordination of all teams involved ( Tavris, 2012) . Like other conflicts, using amicable ways of handling protests ensures that lives and property are not lost or destroyed.
I would hence recommend to the County Manager and Director Duncan to authorize the establishment of a location near the convention. The location would act as a first amendment zone during the operation. At the same time, a perimeter near the convention would also increase security and reduce threats of protests. My recommendations are based on a report by (Nunez 2011), which recommends the establishment of the first amendment as well as other zones in areas likely to experience protests as a way of mitigating protests as well as reducing acts of violence. The idea behind the establishment of such zones is that they help provide freedom of speech for all people as stipulated by the constitution hence allowing for peaceful protests in cases where they occur. The approach not only allows for freedom of speech but also ensures that groups have a genuine opportunity to present their views while ensuring the safety of people attending the DRNC.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
First amendment zones have been used in the past as an effective way of handling chaos while still giving people the freedom of speech. The American constitution stipulates that all people have a right to freedom of speech. Denying protestors their right to freedom of speech not only takes away their constitutional right but also increases violence during protests. The concept of first amendment zones is based on the fact that protestors need to be heard (Nunez, 2011). Confining them in one area under control ensures that they voice their opinions and views under a controlled environment and also gives law enforcement agencies an upper hand in predicting their actions as well as controlling the protest.
Even with the establishment of first amendment zones, all law enforcement agencies involved must understand that these zones do not eliminate the likelihood of violence. As such, these agencies must be well prepared for any eventualities that could lead to violence hence risking the lives of protestors and those attending the DNRC. In some cases, it becomes challenging to control huge crowds, especially where they think as a group and makes decisions that cause harm to themselves and others. The establishment of a first amendment zone, therefore, does not mean that all other security measures should not be put in place.
The use of first amendment zones as a strategy by law enforcement agencies works to ensure that the law enforcement agencies can control protests by limiting protestants to an enclosed area. At the same time, the strategy ensures that protests are peaceful and that protestors peacefully voice their opinions while allowing them to speak freely. First amendment zones help law enforcement agencies plan for protests and remain in control even during the protests to combat any violence that may occur.
References
Nunez, E. L. (2011). First Amendment Zones (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). St. Leo University. FL.
Tavris, D. (2012). Democracy undone: Unequal representation, the threat to our election system, and the impending demise of American Democracy . Bitingduck Press.
