Public Order Policing Approaches to Minimize Crowd Confrontation During Disputes and Protests in Australia

Abstract

Abstract Traditionally, public order clashes between police and protesters in Australia were intermittent and erratic, but police responses were often repressive and violent. By the 1990s, most police leadership was advocating a low-key strategy: one of communication and dialogue, negotiated management, and a less coercive approach to large-scale protests. This article argues that policing of demonstrations responds to the dynamics of differing protest contexts and behaviours. It explores the policing of some significant contemporary demonstrations in Australia ranging from industrial disputes to anti-globalization protests (1998 national waterfront dispute, 2007 Sydney Asia-Pacific Economic Corporation summit, and the 2014 G20 mega event in Brisbane). Although the policing approaches were markedly diverse, these case studies involved limited confrontation. Despite some notable exceptions, modern-day policing of protest in Australia has usually been non-confrontational, partly the result of police–protester liaison and dialogue. The psychological threat of police force, rather than its actual implementation, has restricted potential protest participation and limited violent clashes. A delicate and fragile balance exists between the police maintenance of order and security and the facilitation of a peaceful protest.