b'demonstrations began across Ontario,resolve, and most importantly, focus- sources,throughanestablished police throughout the province haveingoncommunityrelationshipstointelligence cycle to ensure that all beenassessingthewaysinwhichbuild legitimacy, trust and confidencefactors influencing the demonstration wecancontinuetoworktogetherin policing. areunderstood.Intelligencecanbe to ensure the safety of OntarioinAt the OPP, all public order eventsgatheredandprovidedtoMCICsby particular,howwecaneffectivelyaremanagedbyMajorIncidentusingavarietyofsourcesranging utilizethePublicOrderUnit(POU)Command(MIC),whichisrespon- fromopen-sourceintelligenceto Hub model, in the event that we aresibleforspecializedcommandtraditional police sources.once again faced with a plethora ofservicesthroughatrainedincidentOpening Lines of Communicationmulti-jurisdictional, issue-based con- commander (IC). Major incidents are flicts across the province or country.those that require the mobilization ofPolice liaison teams play an essential POU Model OPP employees, equipment and otherroleinde-escalation.Whilethese resources beyond those required forteamsarerelativelynewinsome The POU Hub model is one of severalnormal police service delivery. Majorpolice services, they are an integral importantpiecestoconsiderwhenincidentsareoverseenbymajorelementofthepoliceresponseto managingdemonstrationswithincriticalincidentcommanders(MCIC)crowdmanagement,focusingon theintegratedresponse. Anationalrelationshipbuildingtoassistin framework 1 wasdevelopedin2019who hold expertise in managing andproactivelyresolvingconflict.The by the Canadian Association of Chiefsresolvingoccupations,demonstra- roleofpoliceliaisonteamsisto of Police outlining best practices fortionsandhigh-riskincidents.Everyestablish and maintain effective lines policepreparednessfordemonstra- MCICisduallytrainedasacriticalof communication with all stakehold-tionsandassemblies.TheOntarioincidentcommander(CIC)andPOUers, including those both directly and Provincial Police (OPP) works within acommander, and has demonstrated aindirectly affected by an incident.similar policy, the tenets of which aredeep understanding of the complex-aligned with the established nationalities associated with these incidents.The OPPs Provincial Liaison Team approach and new POU Hub model.The OPPs approach to managing(PLT) assists in deploying an incremen-issue-basedconflict,includingtalapproachtoissuemanagement Before we can discuss the uniquemulti-jurisdictionalevents,focusesbybuildingtrust,confidenceand complexitiesofthedemonstrationsonnarrowingthedividebetweenlegitimacywithcommunityleader-in2022andthePOUHubmodelship and all stakeholders involved in developedtoassistinmanagingpolice and demonstrators. The goal isa conflict. They also provide essential them,itisimportanttoprovideato create a mutual understanding ofinsightintocommunitysentiment birds-eye view of the police responsethe need to work together to ensureand interpersonal dynamics and are to events such as these. The effectivedemonstrationsandassembliesareoften responsible for delivering police managementofanyissue-basedlawful, peaceful and safe. Everyonemessaging.Theseteamsregularly eventinvolvesthreeimportantinvolved in a demonstration, particu- carryoutfunctionsoutsideoftrad-elements: intelligence-led major inci- larly the leaders of community anditional policing roles to support safe dentcommand,policeliaisonandorganizing groups, has a responsib- resolutionsinemotionallycharged specialized operational units.ility for safety. While there may beand potentially stressful situations. ThepolicingapproachtocrowddifferingopinionsregardingwhatWhilepoliceliaisonteamshave management in Canada has evolvedconstitutes lawful or peaceful behav- beenshowntobeexceptionally significantlyfromthatofpreviousiour, it is the disregard for safety thatuseful, there are, at times, limits to decades. Today, police operations atposes the largest concern to police.theirabilitytoresolveissue-based demonstrationsfocusonprovidingThe Role of Intelligence conflict. The ability of a police liaison dialogueand,wherenecessary,Successful resolution of major criticalteam to effectively resolve a situation alternative options to demonstratorsincidentsreliesoneffectivede-es- can be restricted when demonstrators toensurethateventsarelawful,calation. While a demonstration maydiffer greatly in their beliefs, goals or peacefulandsafe.Researchsug- seem like a single group galvanizedopinions,orwhensomemembers geststhatthesestrategiesprovideby a cause, this is often not the case.of the demonstration are involved in improved public order outcomes. InCommunity members may participatecriminal activity. In situations such as particular, the goal is to avoid escal- for a variety of reasons, and thereforethese,operationaltactics,including ation and violence. This is achieveda single group may have varied inter- POUs,maybedeployed.However, byeducatingmembers,informingests, goals and tactics. police liaison teams will continue to communities, ensuring a single lineworkalongsidePOUsandprovide of intelligence to incident command,It is essential to have intelligenceeducationpriortoanyenforcement publiclycorrectingmisinformation,unitsprovidingcontinualanalysisaction, such as information handouts identifyingleadershipandtestingofinformation,fromavarietyofexplaininglawsandrights.This 8 H.Q. Summer 2023'